Fenerbahce vs Manchester United: Jose Mourinho reveals Phil Jones could be set for first appearance of the season

JOSE MOURNIHO has admitted that Phil Jones could be thrust straight back into action at the cauldron’s den of Fenerbahce’s Ulker Stadium.

The Portuguese boss and his Manchester United side arrived in the Turkish capital of Istanbul on Wednesday ahead of their Europa League clash tomorrow.

Mourinho’s men are second in Group A behind leaders Feyenoord on goal difference, and a win against Fener would provide a huge boost to their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages.

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But with recent injuries to defenders Antonio Valencia (arm), Chris Smalling (foot) and Eric Bailly (knee ligament), United may have to hand the injury-riddled Jones his first appearance of the season in Turkey.

Mourinho said:  “I don’t remember when Phil Jones had a good run of games for United. I remember when I was manager for Real Madrid and Phil played against us, but I don’t remember any times after that he was ready.

“He has been having a difficult relationship with injuries, but he has worked hard to recover, has trained hard with the team for the last week.

“We are in a difficult position having lost three defenders, and we don’t have time to give him more time. Because of that difficult position, maybe we have to play him.”

Matteo Darmian is another man who looks likely to start for the Red Devils.

The Italian looks set to leave Old Trafford in January after finding his game time recued, but the injury to Valencia looks to have offered the 26-year-old a route back into the manager’s thoughts.

Mourinho said: “Valencia has a bad injury, a bad fracture in his arm, and surgery too. He will be out for a while.

“But the good thing, even when Antronio was playing well, we were preparing Darmian and he was playing matches in the Europa League.

“He was having minutes to develop himself and when he played for the first time in the Premier League he answered by playing really well.

“We trust him totally.”

Having played three matches so far in the competition, Mourinho admits that the Europa League is starting to grow on him.

And with his side’s poor form in the Premier League, it could provide their best opportunity to get back among Europe’s big guns next season.

He added: “My opinion of the Europa League has changed now that the winner gets a direct place in the Champions League.

“For the big clubs the Europa League has a new meaning.

“The big clubs belong to the Champions League, I don’t change that perspective.”