Ten Hag is ‘relishing’ Europa League showdown with ex-Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho

Erik ten Hag is relishing his Europa League showdown with Jose Mourinho in Istanbul this week.

Ten Hag’s Manchester United take on Fenerbahce in the Turkish capital on Thursday looking to get their first win in the competition this season. Mourinho will be desperate to stop this happening and pile the pressure on Ten Hag.

Mourinho managed United between 2016 and 2018 and won three trophies, before leaving in acrimonious circumstances following a falling out with the club’s board. The Portuguese took charge of Fenerbahce in the summer following his sacking by AS Roma. And Ten Hag recognises the significance of the clash with Mourinho’s side.

The Dutchman is looking forward to pitting his wits against one of the most decorated bosses in history – and reckons Mourinho is still an example to other managers in the game.

Ten Hag said: “It’s a big game for both of us. I really enjoy facing him and playing against him. He has always good teams, he is a winner. He (has) won so many trophies, and I think he is an example for many, many managers.”

Ten Hag is still battling to keep his job at United following a woeful start to the season. Last weekend’s home win over Brentford was just United’s fourth in 12 games in all competitions.

Ten Hag admits he finds himself in a constant battle to prove himself. But he has targeted winning another trophy this season, to add to the two he has claimed since taking charge in 2022.

He added: “It is football, and you have to live for now. What happened is in the past, you have to prove (yourself) every day, you have to prove yourself every season, so we have to go for it.

“We are in the start of the season, and we will see where we end, but our target is to win a trophy again.”