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THEY stepped into ‘Hell’ and came face to face with the old devil himself. 

But Manchester United escaped from Jose Mourinho’s lair with a point in another night of European mayhem. 

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Amid the chaos, Mourinho was red-carded, Andre Onana pulled off a ridiculous double save and Erik ten Hag survived another tactical brainstorm despite Youssef En-Nesyri’s header cancelling out Christian Eriksen’s opener.

Having conceded 17 goals on their previous five trips overseas, this was actually a pretty respectable effort from Ten Hag’s dysfunctional team – who have now drawn three out of three in the Europa League and face a battle to avoid a humiliating early elimination.  

They have now failed to win in European competition for an entire year, since a 1-0 home win over Copenhagen on October 24, 2023. 

Istanbul has provided plenty of fire-pit nights for United both here at Fenerbahce, where they were once thumped 3-0 under Sir Alex Ferguson, and at Galatasaray, the venue for their original ‘Welcome To Hell’ trip back in the 90s. 

So despite Ten Hag fielding a full-back as a ‘false ten’ and dropping Rasmus Hojlund, they ended up relieved to avoid defeat.  

Mourinho, of course, is never knowingly upstaged and the tantrum he chucked when Bright Osayi-Samuel was denied a second-half penalty earned him a place in the stands. 

He speaks plenty of languages, the Special One. And two of them are ‘foul’ and ‘abusive’.

With Bruno Fernandes suspended after his red card in Porto, Ten Hag opted to play full-back Noussair Mazraoui as his No10 – to the bafflement of many. 

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And despite his winner against Brentford on Saturday, Hojlund was benched. 

Ten Hag rarely does the obvious thing. But not in a good way. 

Mourinho had been in typically mischievous form at his pre-match press conference, claiming a potential Premier League winners medal with United for the 2017-18 season when his side finished runners-up behind Manchester City – who are facing 115 League charges of financial wrongdoing.   

The Sukru Saracoglu Stadium was packed and raucous well before kick-off.

When United were in possession, the shrill whistling of the home crowd perforated eardrums. 

But it was Fenerbahce who set the early pace – especially their former Newcastle box-of-frogs Allan Saint-Maximin – all nutmegs, shoulder drops and slalom runs at the United defence.  

Former QPR man Osayi-Samuel skinned Lisandro Martinez but shot into the side-netting. 

This was no stereotypically negative Mourinho team. 

And Rashford had just been booked for a foul on Sebastian Szymanski when, against the run of play, United fashioned a fine counter-attacking goal. 

Manuel Ugarte won possession, Alejandro Garnacho sprinted down the left and Mazraoui fed Joshua Zirkzee, who cut back for Eriksen to thump his shot into the corner of the net. 

Furious Jose Mourinho’s CUTTING dig at referee Clement Turpin after red card vs Man Utd

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JOSE MOURINHO launched a sarcastic blast at ref Clement Turpin after he was red-carded in his clash with former club Manchester United. 

The Fenerbahce boss saw his side fight back to earn a point as United tossed away the lead for a third successive drawn Europa League match.

Mourinho was sent to the stands after raging against Turpin’s failure to award a penalty against Manuel Ugarte for a challenge on Bright Osayi-Samuel.

And Mourinho scowled: “The referee told me something incredible. He said at the same time he could see the action in the box and my behaviour on the touchline.

“I congratulate him because he is absolutely incredible. During the game, 100 miles per hour, he had one eye on the penalty situation and one eye on my behaviour on the bench. That’s the explanation he gave me.

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“That is why he is one of the best referees in the world!”

Rashford ought to have doubled the lead soon after, cutting inside from the right but screwing his shot just wide of the far post. 

But United were still having to defend with guts and with desperation – especially when Ugarte produced an outstanding sliding block to deny Dusan Tadic from close range.

Mourinho was doing his conkers at this – and soon started berating the fourth official after Zirkzee went down injured. 

It was becoming a frustrating night for the old rogue – especially when Andre Onana decided to channel the spirit of Gordon Banks with an astonishing double save to deny En-Nesyri. 

First, the Moroccan centre-forward’s downward header was met with a gob-smacking tumbling stop, then the Cameroonian keeper leapt to his feet to push away a second nodded effort after Tadic had teed up En-Nesyri again. 

The striker grinned as if he had just fallen victim to a strange optical illusion. And perhaps he had. 

United led at the break but then they had often done so during their shocking recent run of European trips. 

Man Utd ratings vs Fenerbahce: Onana saves the day for Red Devils as Lindelof has a stinker

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MANCHESTER UNITED were held to a 1-1 draw by Fenerbahce on a disappointing night in Turkey.

Christian Eriksen broke the deadlock for Erik ten Hag’s side in the first half before En-Nesyri levelled soon after the break.

Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho was sent to the stands in the second half after a touchline tantrum.

But the Red Devils could find a much-needed winner for Erik ten Hag.

SunSport’s Emillia Hawkins rates the performances…

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Andre Onana – 7

Made an outstanding double save in the 37th minute to keep two attempts from Youssef En-Nesyri out.

His defenders could’ve done much better to prevent Fenerbahce’s goal.

Diogo Dalot – 5

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Failed to track back at times and had his blushes saved in the first half by Ugarte, who made a crucial tackle on Dusan Tadic to prevent a goal.

Matthijs de Ligt – 6

Made some good blocks during the first half to keep Fenerbahce at bay.

Missed a few chances from set-pieces after the break.

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Victor Lindelof – 4

Failed to follow En-Nesyri for Fenerbahce’s opening goal and made no attempt to win the ball.

Hauled off in the 54th minute.

Lisandro Martinez – 5

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Like Lindelof, he did not apply any pressure to En-Nesyri for the hosts’ first goal. Poor communication from both.

Christian Eriksen – 7

Broke the deadlock for United with a great strike into the top-left corner from the edge of the box.

Manuel Ugarte – 6

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Won the ball in the build-up to the first goal and saved Man Utd from conceding with a fantastic last-ditch tackle in front of goal in the 22nd minute.

Was lucky to avoid giving away a penalty after the break.

Noussair Mazraoui – 6

Didn’t look too out of place starting in the No10 position. Played a role in the build-up to the goal, passing the ball to Zirkzee who got the assist.

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Eventually moved into left-back, allowing Martinez to move central.

Marcus Rashford – 5

Played out of preferred position and started on the right as opposed to the left.

Didn’t make too much of an impact on the game.

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Alejandro Garnacho – 6

Played a key role in the build-up to Erikson’s goal by making a direct run into the box.

Challenged Dominik Livakovic a few times and looked lively.

Joshua Zirkzee – 5

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A poor overall performance from the striker despite providing the assist for Eriksen’s opener.

Failed to make much of an impact and was hauled off in the 54th minute.

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Mourinho had slapped Onana on the back in the tunnel at half-time but within four minutes of the restart, the United keeper was powerless to stop Fenerbahce equalising. 

Saint-Maximin delivered the deep cross from the left and En-Nesyri, with another downward header, managed to avoid another miracle and beat Onana at the third time of asking. 

In the stands, the drums were thudding, the punters were bouncing and United knew they were up against it on foreign soil yet again. 

Ten Hag responded by abandoning the Marzaroui ‘false ten’ experiment – bringing on Hojlund and Casemiro for Zirkzee and Victor Lindelof in a major reshuffle. 

Then came Mourinho’s ejection from his technical area – the Fenerbahce boss raging at an unrequited penalty appeal when Ugarte upended Osayi-Samuel. 

It was a decent shout followed by some indecent shouts from Mourinho, who was sent packing to the stands after a lengthy exchange of opinions with ref Clement Turpin. 

Would he be smuggled back into the dugout in a laundry basket, one of the tricks he used to defy a touchline ban during his Chelsea days? 

Rashford then skewed an excellent close-range chance and Mazraoui, despite reverting to left-back, had a long-ranger turned over the bar. 

With United’s players now playing in their correct positions, they began to get the upper hand. Matthijs De Ligt should have scored with a header, Hojlund forced a save.

Then Antony was carted off on a stretcher late on, to add to Ten Hag’s injury woes as it finished a stalemate.

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Luka Dončić had 28 points and 10 rebounds, Klay Thompson added 22 points in his Dallas debut and the Mavericks beat the San Antonio Spurs 120-109 in the opener for both teams Thursday night.

Kyrie Irving had 15 points for the defending Western Conference champions, who got eight assists from Doncic and seven rebounds from Thompson.

Victor Wembanyama shot just 5 of 18 from the field for 17 points to open the young French phenom’s second year with the Spurs. Jeremy Sochan and Julian Champagnie scored 18 apiece.

Takeaways

Spurs: Thompson’s first game with the Mavericks was the headliner, but Chris Paul’s San Antonio debut to start his 20th season was an important moment for the Spurs in the growth of a young team seeking to end a five-season playoff drought. The offense looked rough, and Paul’s only points came on a 3 in the third quarter. But the point guard’s long-term value showed with eight assists and seven rebounds.

Mavericks: Dallas has been talking defense with the star offensive trio of Doncic, Irving and Thompson. There was a brief display in the third quarter with three consecutive San Antonio turnovers. Thompson had the first steal, Irving the next two. Dallas scored just two points, though.

Key moment

The Mavericks took their biggest lead to that point at 69-55 in the third quarter when Doncic was in heavy traffic under the basket and threw a blind pass over his head to P.J. Washington Jr. for an open 3.

Key stat

Dallas pulled away by warming up significantly from long range in the second half. The Mavs were 13 of 18 on 3s after the break after finishing the first half 6 of 23.

Up next

The Spurs play the first of consecutive home games against Houston on Saturday. The Mavericks play their road opener Saturday at Phoenix.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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Sheffield Eagles boss Mark Aston has been banned from coaching in rugby league for 18 months.

Aston was suspended in July by the Championship club, along with physio Mick Heys, while an operational rules tribunal looked into a medical compliance matter.

The pair were charged by the Rugby Football League with breaching rules around returning to playing after a head injury.

The breach concerned the appearance of Matty Marsh in a Challenge Cup tie with Wigan in March, 13 days after he had suffered a head injury and without the necessary medical clearance.

Aston, who has led Eagles since 2007, will not be allowed to coach or hold any senior role influencing team selection until 30 April 2026.

Heys has been banned from holding a medical role in the sport for 18 months, although six months of that punishment has been suspended for a year because he “admitted his conduct at the outset”.

All parties were given 14 days to appeal against the verdicts from 22 October.

The RFL said in a statement: “Sheffield Eagles were a party to the tribunal and the RFL expects to reach an agreed decision with the club pursuant to operational rules and pending the outcome of any appeal process which is likely to involve a considerable fine and a monitoring, improvement and educational plan.”

RICHARLISON maintained Tottenham’s 100 per cent Europa League start – but only after winning a penalty ROW with captain James Maddison.

On an evening when Tottenham’s teenage trio shined, it was the returning Brazilian that proved the match-winner despite a bizarre on-field argument with his teammate.

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On his first start of the season, having recovered from a calf strain, the No.9 striker scored a Panenka-style spot-kick that broke the AZ Alkmaar resistance.

Yet after summer signing Luca Bergvall had been decked by Maxim Dekker, Maddison negotiated at length with Richarlison, 27, and actually took the ball OFF the disappointed South American.

Moments later, it was back in Richarlison’s hands and with a steely gaze, he managed to poke fun at goalkeeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro with a straight-down-the-middle strike on 53 minutes.

Maddison, who wore the skipper’s armband for the night following the absence of Son Heung-min, did not bear any grudges with the episode.

And the England playmaker was the first to rush over and hug Richarlison, who did his pigeon-dance celebration that was a hallmark of the 2022 World Cup.

In a year in which he revealed his mental health struggles, this was a welcome sight for him and everyone connected with the player.

His coolly-taken goal means it is now three wins out of three and Spurs are on course to qualify for the top eight spots in this revamped, money-grabbing new format.

Postecoglou made NINE changes to the side that thrashed West Ham 4-1 on Saturday and that selection gamble did not backfire.

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Spurs ratings vs Alkmaar: Kids Bergvall impresses on rare start but Dragusin has uncomfortable night

TOTTENHAM made it a hat-trick of Europa League wins thanks to Richarlison’s penalty against ten-man AZ Alkmaar.

The Brazilian converted from the spot on 53 minutes in an opening goal that eventually separated the sides.

Here is how Dan King rated Spurs’ players from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Fraser Forster – 7

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Brilliant save and good rush from line in first half to stop Spurs falling behind. A spectator for most of the second half but made smart stop in last 20 minutes.

Archie Gray – 5

Unable to team up with fellow teenager Moore in first half to match threat from Tottenham’s other flank and struggled with pace of Ernest Poku.

Radu Dragusin – 5

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Another mixed display. Good on the ball one moment, not so much the next. Sometimes looked strong, but then vulnerable, especially when Alkmaar ran at him.

Ben Davies – 7

Tottenham’s Mr Dependable was their most convincing defender, thanks mainly to good positioning and calmness. Although even he showed signs of tension late on.

Destiny Udogie – 6

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Did a bit of everything in the opening 45 minutes, although as usual his work in opposition half tended to be better. Less adventurous in the second half.

Rodrigo Bentancur – 6

After a commanding start, was unable to stop Alkmaar from gaining a first-half foothold. Apart from occasional lapses, maintained his authority better after the break.

Mikey Moore – 7

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Missed golden early chance and looked uncomfortable on right. Immediate, massive improvement when switched to left, running at defence and creating chances..

Lucas Bergvall – 8

Impressive display with everything but a goal. Full of running, composed, and found killer passes that should have become assists. But had to go off injured.

James Maddison – 7

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Skipper for the night had some lovely moments without finding a decisive contribution – until he let Richarlison have the penalty.

Timo Werner – 5

Superb cross for Moore chance but woeful finish when played through by Bergvall told you everything about his confidence levels. Hooked at half time.

Richarlison – 6

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Busy and committed in first half, but ball wasn’t sticking much. Really wanted to take the penalty and converting it should be a morale boost. Lasted just over an hour.

SUBS

Brennan Johnson (for Werner, half time) – 5

Failed to make most of a Bergvall pass. Quieter than usual.

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Dominic Solanke (for Richarlison, 65) – 6

Worked hard without having a sight of goal.

Dejan Kulusevski (for Bergvall, 73) – 6

Gave the Spurs midfield the legs it needed to see out game.

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Pape Sarr (for Maddison, 73) – 6

Also brought an injection of energy to dampen Alkmaar hopes of a comeback.

Only full-back Destiny Udogie and Maddison – a half-time sub against the Hammers – retained their places.

Three teenagers were given a run-out – Bergvall, Mikey Moore and Archie Gray – and what a special occasion this was for them all, playing in a European clash under the lights in front of a packed home crowd.

What a dream start it could have been for the 17-year-old forward Moore on his first appearance in the starting XI in N17.

The left-wing cross on five minutes from Timo Werner was delivered perfectly but the header from close range by the academy graduate, who had wriggled free of his marker, was wasted.

Later on, though, he would be serenaded by the Tottenham faithful for his industry and work-rate with that old Harry Kane song: “He’s one of our own…”

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One of the other youngsters given a go was the blond-haired, 18-year-old Bergvall, a £8.5million recruit, whose night was unfortunately cut short due to a knock.

On 27 minutes, the Swedish midfielder’s beautiful outside-of-the-boot ball dissected the AZ defence and this could have led to the opening goal of an otherwise tedious first half.

The problem was the lovely pass fell to Werner and the German loanee – not the most prolific of strikers – produced a typically tame finish that the AZ goalkeeper easily saved.

Werner’s wastefulness was punished and he was hooked off at half-time for Brennan Johnson, who had a half-chance to score inside a minute of coming on.

AZ – who had a first-half header by Alexandre Penetra brilliantly saved by back-up goalkeeper Fraser Forster – had some chances but were unable to breach the home defence.

There were several times that Tottenham gave away the ball and lived dangerously and they were lucky that the electric Ernest Poku did not punish them – and that Forster’s concentration did not falter.

The Dutch side’s night got worse when David Moller Wolfe received a second yellow for a silly foul and watched the rest of the match from inside the bowels of the stadium.

Maddison cleared up the penalty row in his post-match interview, telling TNT Sports: “Initially we both wanted to take it. I am a senior player, I was the captain today, I was going to take the penalty.

“hen a little thought in my head, when I was stood there, I had a little conversation with myself. Richy has come back from an injury, it can be difficult, especially for a striker.

“I knew that last year as well when I had a long injury. It took me a while to get my first goal. That gives you confidence.”

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