Why Man Utd will be without EIGHT first-team stars for trip to face Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce - including captain Bruno Fernandes

United's squad is stretched thin as they gear up to lock horns against Jose Mourinho's men on Thursday. One of the biggest concerns for the Red Devils is the midfield situation. With Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo, Dan Gore, and Toby Collyer all sidelined due to injury, and Bruno Fernandes suspended, United find themselves short of options in the middle of the park. Only Manuel Ugarte, Casemiro, and Christian Eriksen are available as central midfielders, forcing Ten Hag to depend heavily on these three experienced players.

Jonny Evans, who was instrumental in the weekend win against Brentford, has not trained since picking up an injury in that match. Meanwhile, other defenders including Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw, and Leny Yoro happen to be long-term absentees.

In light of the injury concerns, teenage defenders Harry Amass and Habeeb Ogunneye have been called up to the squad. Both Amass, 17, and Ogunneye, 18, were named on the bench at the end of last season but have yet to make their senior debuts. With the team’s defence under strain, these young players could have an opportunity to prove their worth on the European stage.

Nonetheless, Ten Hag remained buoyant about United's chances and told reporters: "The players who are available have to do the job and they are capable of doing the job. I think we have enough players in the team that are so experienced. Our team is so experienced. We’ve faced such situations more often. I think we’re looking forward, I think it will be a great ambience that’s fuel for the team and it’s a real challenge, it’s a motivation, it’s really good for us."

The manager also shared an update on Mount and informed: "I think a bit longer [to wait for Mount], that's what we expected. I think he will be back soon."

Although UEFA allows up to 12 substitutes to be named on the bench for Europa League matches, Ten Hag has included only nine in his 20-man squad, which includes the two reserve goalkeepers, Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton. This decision reflects the thinness of the squad and the limited options available to the United manager due to injuries.

Full Manchester United Squad for Fenerbahce

Goalkeepers: Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton, Andre Onana
Defenders: Harry Amass, Diogo Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt, Victor Lindelof, Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui, Habeeb Ogunneye
Midfielders: Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Manuel Ugarte
Forwards: Amad, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford, Ethan Wheatley, Joshua Zirkzee

United have drawn their previous Europa League group-stage matches against FC Twente and Porto, leaving them in the 21st spot with two points. While the top eight teams in the group phase secure automatic qualification to the last-16, teams that finish between ninth and 24th must go through a two-legged play-off to progress further in the competition. United's current form means they need to start accumulating points to avoid falling into the play-off spots.