As Manchester United and Fenerbahce played out a 1-1 draw in the Europa League, almost every number came up on those pre-match bingo cards.
Manchester United starting positivity before falling off a cliff. Where have we seen that before? Throwing away a lead in yet another European game.
Andre Onana came to United’s rescue just like he did against FC Porto. Some baffling substitutions and team selections from Erik ten Hag. And Jose Mourinho watching the final half hour from the stands after picking up a red card.
Some things just forever stay the same.
But with Ten Hag thinking outside the box in an attempt to end Man United’s wait for a first win of the European stage, few would have predicted full-back Noussair Mazraoui lining up in place of the suspended Bruno Fernandes in the number ten role.
On a night of few surprises, this was one call which raised a few eyebrows.
Jose Mourinho backs Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag
Ten Hag has spoken glowingly about former Ajax ace Mazraoui’s versatility. But this was taking things to the extreme.
Even the masterful Michael Sheen looked out of place in, say, a certain teen-driven, vampire-themed fantasy. And Mazraoui, predictably, looked very much like a full-back forced into an ill-fitting attacking midfield role until Ten Hag finally got the message and returned him to the backline.
Jose Mourinho labelled Man United as one of the Europa League favourites pre-match. That certainly feels fanciful after three winless games to start the first phase.
But the former Old Trafford boss, while convinced that better days are just around the corner, does have some sympathy towards a coach for whom nothing appears to be going to plan.
“They will win more. They will qualify,” Mourinho said during his post-match press conference.
“So, I think the point for them is a positive point. The same way in Porto a point is a positive point. Because we are a good team, it’s difficult to play here. Porto is the same.
“And I think [Ten Hag] tried. I think I know what he tried. My only doubt was [whether he would play Joshua] Zirkzee or [Rasmus] Hojlund. I know both very well because both played in Italy on my time.”
In the end, it was Zirkzee who got the nod.
And, despite Hojlund scoring twice in his last three games, the Dutchman did at least justify his selection with a clever lay-off to set up Christian Eriksen’s thumping first-half opener.
Mourinho supports Joshua Zirkzee and Noussair Mazraoui decisions
“I think what they tried, with Zirkzee, was to see if I was going to press Zirkzee when Zirkzee drops in between the lines,” Mourinho adds, the former Bologna man dropping deep to allow runs in behind for Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford.
“They try and create space for Garnacho and Rashford to attack diagonals. So we had to choose. Then when he comes with Hojlund [off the bench], he tries to attack the spaces more.
“So I think, strategically, [Ten Hag] was good.”
Mourinho can also see the logic behind starting Mazraoui in the spot vacated by Fernandes.
The Morocco international had played in such a role under Ten Hag before at Ajax, after all. Mazraoui he possesses the press-resistent qualities and technical gifts required, too, if not the innate creativity.
“The situation with Mazraoui, maybe for you it was a big surprise. For us, it was not because [Sofyan] Amrabat told me Mazraoui can play in this position,” adds Mourinho, who won the Europa League with Man United back in 2017.
“He did a lot with Ten Hag in Ajax. He has the qualities. He is not Bruno but, in terms of the legs to press with a striker, the two centre backs, he has the legs to do it.
“So I think they did pretty well. And then in the last part of the game, they were pragmatic.
“Look, if before the game somebody tells me a draw against Manchester United, I say good result. Now you tell me are you happy with the result? I say I am not happy. So I think we did well and the point for them is a positive point.”
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