Fenerbahce vs. Manchester United: Score, Reaction from 2016 Europa League Match

Two sensational goals helped Fenerbahce to a 2-1 win over a poor Manchester United side at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium on Thursday, leaving the Red Devils third in Group A in the UEFA Europa League with two games remaining.

Moussa Sow got the Turkish side off to the perfect start with a sublime bicycle kick just one minute into the game before a Jeremain Lens free-kick doubled their lead just before the hour mark. Wayne Rooney gave United hope with an excellent effort of his own late on, but the Premier League side were unable to complete the comeback.

The Red Devils were again ineffectual in the final third despite the wealth of attacking talent they had on display, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Rooney—aside from his late strike—being particularly disappointing.

The match began with a bang, as Sow netted a spectacular overhead kick off Hasan Ali Kaldirim's cross from deep, catching goalkeeper David De Gea and United by surprise.

Turkish outlet Hurriyet Spor captured the moment:

Sports journalist Jonas Giaever and Steve Bates of the Sunday People could scarcely believe their eyes:

"

You give Moussa Sow that ball and 99 times out of a 100 that's ending anywhere but the goal. Ridiculous.

— Jonas Giæver (@CheGiaevara) November 3, 2016"

United responded with a spell of possession as they sought an equaliser, but with Fenerbahce defending resolutely, they struggled to carve out any significant opportunities.

When the Red Devils were able to work the ball to Rooney on the edge of the area, the England international was unable to control it, as the Daily Mail's Adam Crafton noted:

Paul Pogba was withdrawn after being on the receiving end of a late challenge, and his replacement, Ibrahimovic, wasted a chance to slip Marcus Rashford on goal.

The striker was sent wide by the wayward ball, but goalkeeper Volkan Demirel nevertheless had to be alert to beat away Rashford's dangerous cross.

United's struggles continued unabated after the break as Rooney and Ibrahimovic frequently dropped deep, only to hinder the likes of Ander Herrera and substitute Juan Mata with their presence.

Things got worse for the visitors when the Swede carelessly gave away a free-kick on the edge of United's area, and Lens curled the set piece past the helpless De Gea with a sumptuous strike, per Squawka News:

Former Germany international Didi Hamann marvelled at his technique and how poorly United were playing:

The Red Devils were almost down 3-0 shortly after, when substitute Emmanuel Emenike came close to having an instant impact—the forward was slipped through by Lens but dithered on the ball and was closed down by De Gea.

As United pressed forward, the Nigerian again almost scored when he and Lens hit the visitors on a counter-attack, but he was unable to connect with the latter's cross by mere inches.

Rooney's 89th-minute strike from distance set up a tense finish, but Fenerbahce were able to hang on for a deserved win that moved them to the top of the group.

Manager Jose Mourinho's side are one point behind Feyenoord for second, with a visit from Feyenoord and a trip to Zorya Luhansk remaining. Barring a serious improvement, the seemingly straightforward fixtures could be difficult, and United are in jeopardy of a humiliating early exit.

Post-Match Reaction

Per BBC Sport's Shamoon Hafez, Mourinho was critical of his side's performance:

"

Our problems started in our global attitude. They were playing the Champions League final, we were playing a summer friendly.

They deserved to win, football is not just about quality, it is also about effort, commitments, playing the limits and giving everything.

"

He added: "A team that concedes after two minutes is a team that is not ready, not mentally prepared, not focused, not concentrated."