‘Welcome to Hell’: Manchester United vs Fenerbahce guarantees drama on Turkish soil

Türkiye does not evoke many happy memories among Manchester United fans as their team has historically struggled on Turkish soil, from the iconic “Welcome to Hell” moment to more recent European embarassments. On Thursday night, Sukru Saracoglu stadium is set to host another memorable Manchester United vs Fenerbahce match-up, in a venue whence Red Devils have left with disappointment twice before.

On the sidelines will be a face that Man Utd fans are too familiar with: Jose Mourinho. The “Special One” has taken over the helm of the Istanbul giant in 2024 and intends to steer the Yellow Canaries to a formidable position in Europe. Beating his former employers might just be the victory that Mourinho needs.

This will be the third time that the Red Devils visited Sukru Saracoglu, and they have always left empty-handed so far. In fact, nearly every visit that the Manchester team made to Istanbul has so far been dramatic if not disastrous.

United’s only victory at Fenerbahce’s home: 2-0

United’s only victory at Fenerbahce’s home turf came in 1996-97 when goals from David Beckham and Eric Cantona secured a 2-0 win against a team featuring Jay-Jay Okocha.

Overall, United’s record in Türkiye is bleak — 10 visits, yielding only three wins, four defeats, and three draws, including some moments that United fans would love to forget.

In 2004, in a Champions League group stage game, a second-string United side was trounced 3-0 by a Fenerbahce team led by Tuncay Sanli, who would later play in the Premier League. Despite United already securing a spot in the last 16, the defeat still stung.

More recently in 2016, the Red Devils were once again greatly upset as two spectacular goals from Moussa Sow and Jeremain Lens helped Fenerbahce beat United 2-1 on the night. Mourinho was the Manchester United manager at the time and after the game he was furious.

“At the start it was like they were playing the Champions League final and we were playing a summer friendly – that’s the reality,” he said at the press conference. “I think they deserved to win. Football is not just about quality, it’s also about effort, commitment, playing to the limits and giving everything.”

Tonight, Mourinho will be hoping that his players can replicate that 2016 Fenerbahce side’s effort and commitment.

Fenerbahce is not the only Istanbul side to spoil United’s European splendor as well. In fact, the Red Devils had their most painful memories on Turkish soil just across the town at the hands of the Yellow Canaries’ fierce rivals, Galatasaray.

Tunnel brawls and ‘Welcome to Hell’ atmosphere in 1993

In 1993, the Premier League champions were shocked when Galatasaray held them to a 3-3 draw at Old Trafford, leaving the Turkish side needing only a draw in the return leg of the second round of Champions League tie. Galatasaray’s infamous fans greeted United with banners reading “Welcome to Hell,” and the atmosphere lived up to the billing. A goalless draw knocked United out, in what then United head coach Sir Alex Ferguson later described as the most intimidating environment he had ever experienced.

The tension boiled over, leading to a tunnel brawl involving Eric Cantona and Bryan Robson, with Ferguson even jumping into the fray. A policeman punched Cantona, and two fans lost their lives during celebrations in a night which was filled with chaos.

The Red Devils found themselves back at “Hell” the following season. Another goalless draw at the Ali Sami Yen stadium contributed to United’s early exit from the group stages of the Champions League.

Nearly two decades later in 2012, United would have a shot at revenge but it was not to be as Burak Yilmaz’s header secured a 1-0 victory for Galatasaray, ending United’s perfect record in Europe that season.

More recently, a chaotic 3-3 draw last season saw United throw away a two-goal lead, with goalkeeper Andre Onana making critical errors that left the Red Devils’ Champions League hopes hanging by a thread.

Now, as United head back to Türkiye, they’ll be hoping to avoid another embarrassment. The likes of Fred and Sofyan Amrabat who both played for United, are itching to get the game underway. Fred even jokingly told his former teammate Bruno Fernandes, “We will kill you.”

Whether this trip ends in triumph or another setback remains to be seen but one thing is for sure: It will produce a must-see game.