Manchester United defeat Fenerbahce 4-1 in Europa League action

  • 21/10/2016
Martial celebrates his penalty (Getty image)
Martial celebrates his penalty (Getty image)

Paul Pogba scored a brace as Manchester United defeated Fenerbahce 4-1 to move to the top of Europa League Group A.

After nothing of note in the opening half an hour, Pogba and Anthony Martial netted penalties within three minutes of each other before Pogba scored a fine third in first-half injury time.

Jesse Lingard added a fourth just after half-time and the United fans were on their feet again for Fenerbahce's consolation goal, scored late on by their popular former striker Robin van Persie.

The Red Devils leapfrog Fenerbahce to the top of the group table and have repaired the damage done by their opening loss to Feyenoord, who also have six points.

Jose Mourinho made seven changes to the side that drew with Liverpool on Monday and the incomers included captain Wayne Rooney, starting for the first time in a month.

Fenerbahce were the opponents when Rooney so thrillingly announced his arrival at United with a debut hat-trick.

But that was 12 years ago and this time the Turkish side offered the chance for Rooney to show he can offer more than just past glories.

Pogba, another man with a point to prove, kept his place while Martial and Luke Shaw started but there was no place in the squad for either Henrikh Mkhitaryan or Morgan Schneiderlin.

PA