Manchester United's poor run continues with defeat against Fenerbahce

Two brilliant goals gave Fenerbahce a crucial victory over Manchester United; they join Feyenoord on seven points at the top of Group A, while United have six.

Fenerbahce took the lead after just two minutes, Hasan Ali swinging over a cross that Moussa Sow met with a devastating overhead volley that screeched past David de Gea. United enjoyed most of the possession thereafter, but were far too narrow and slow to cause any serious problems, a heavy touch from Wayne Rooney ruining their best situation.

A few minutes later, Paul Pogba went off with what looked like a dead leg, and though his replacement, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, allowed United to hold the ball up, they still could not create anything.

Juan Mata replaced Morgan Schneiderlin at half-time, but United did not improve significantly, and Fenerbahce looked dangerous on the break. Then, on 59 minutes, they conceded a free-kick 25 yards out, right of centre. With Simon Kjaer looking likely to shoot, Jeremain Lens came from behind the ball to plant a superb effort inside the near post.

United huffed and puffed for a bit, but Fenerbahce looked far likelier to score, missing several opportunities better than anything United mustered. With a minute to go, Wayne Rooney slammed in a jazzer from distance, but no one seriously expected anything significant to change, United have now run out of chances, and need a result when Feyernoord visit Old Trafford in two weeks.

United are struggling at the moment, which happens, but why are they so lacking in intensity? Twice in three games they've conceded early goals, and while the players must look at themselves, why isn't Jose Mourinho preventing it from happening?

Controlled midfield with bright passing and niggly tackling, making sure United got nothing going and starting attacks whenever possible.

Fenerbahce: Volkan 6, Sener 7, Kjaer 7, Skrtel 7, Hasan Ali 7, Mehmet Topal 8, Alper 7, Souza 9, Lens 8, Moussa Sow 7, Volkan Sen 7. Subs: Emenike 7, Neustadter 6.

Manchester United: De Gea 6, Darmian 5, Rojo 5, Blind 5, Shaw 5, Schneiderlin 6, Herrera 5, Pogba 6, Rashford 5, Rooney 5, Martial 7. Subs: Ibrahimovic 6, Mata 5, Mkhitaryan 5.

In seven of their last eight games, Manchester United have failed to score in the first half.

2 - MY DAYS WHAT A GOAL! Fenerbahce 1-0 Manchester United (Moussa Sow) Wow. Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow. Hasan Ali swings over a cross from the left, and between the centre-backs, near side of the box, Moussa Sow spanks an overhead volley that screeches past De Gea!

21 - Martial finds space outside the box and moving right, drives a delightful reverse-pass into the box, and directly into Rooney's path, in front of goal. You will be shocked to discover that the opportunity foundered following a heavy first touch.

34 - Darmian catches Hasan Ali dallying on the ball and Zlatan has Rashford outside him, but playing a no-look pass overhits it. Rashford retrieves the situation though and drives a low cross-shot that the keeper saves and ends up hoofed behind.

59 - ANOTHER BRILLIANT GOAL! FENERBAHCE 2-0 MANCHESTER UNITED With De Gea expecting Kjaer to shoot towards his far post, Lens comes around the side of the ball with just two paces run-up, placing a perfect curler that zooms over the wall and in at his near. This is over.

79 - So nearly a third for Fener! Alper plays a pass in behind Shaw, which Lens races onto, slamming a low cross between keeper and defenders that a sliding Emenike misses by a fraction.

89 - GOAL! FENERBAHCE 2-1 MANCHESTER UNITED (ROONEY) Rooney takes possession 25 yards out, looks up, and stomps his foot through one that flies across Volkan and into the top corner. Amazingly, it turns out that if you shoot, you might score.