Broken Fenerbahçe looking for relief against revitalized Konya
Two erstwhile Turkish also-rans, Osmanlıspor and Atiker Konyaspor, secured draws against strong rivals in the UEFA Europa League late on Oct. 20, but Istanbul giants Fenerbahçe were sent packing by the Premier League's Manchester United away.
France's Paul Pogba struck twice as Manchester United invigorated its Europa League campaign with a classy 4-1 home victory over Fenerbahçe.
Pogba scored a penalty and curled in from distance to take his tally to three goals since his world-record 89 million-pound ($109.1 million) return from Juventus.
Anthony Martial, with another penalty, and Jesse Lingard were also on target as Jose Mourinho's team secured a win that left them level on six points with Feyenoord at the top of Group A.
"It is three points and that is what we needed," said Mourinho. "We knew after the first defeat [1-0 at Feyenoord] it was important to get nine points at home and a few more away, so it was a very important victory for us."
Fenerbahçe replied late on through United old boy Robin van Persie, who tucked in a cross from substitute Emanuel Emenike and was rewarded with applause from all four corners of Old Trafford.
"The first 30 minutes, the game was balanced, with United having more possession, but not creating many chances," said Fenerbahçe coach Dick Advocaat. "But if you give goals away against a team like United, with the quality they have, you're asking for problems."
The result vindicated Mourinho's decision to make seven changes to the team that had held in-form Liverpool to a 0-0 draw on Oct. 17.
The likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ander Herrera and Marcus Rashford are likely to return for Oct. 23 Premier League trip to Chelsea, after which United host Manchester City...
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