Manchester United defender Daley Blind- We must stand up and show were a team



A topsy-turvy start to the season continued in Turkey, where United wilted on a hostile night at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.

Moussa Sow's exceptional overhead kick after 65 seconds was a sucker-punch and infuriated manager Jose Mourinho, who accused his players of approaching the match like a "summer friendly".

Jeremain Lens' excellent second-half free-kick compounded matters, with Wayne Rooney's superb late goal and a frantic ending unable to mask a poor United display in Istanbul.

Mourinho had no arguments with the 2-1 Europa League defeat and defender Blind knows they need to up their game, with a response required in Sunday's return to Premier League action at Swansea.

"It was a hard game, especially after the (early) goal we conceded," Blind said

"I think he never (scores) a goal in his life like that again.

"After that, we tried to push and we created some little chances

We could create more.

"In the second half we know when you push there is a bit of a risk for a counter-attack and, yeah, that happened.

"Then we scored too late with 2-1 and there was no time left to score or go for the second goal.

"I think we have to look at ourselves now

It's very disappointing for us and I think the atmosphere in the dressing room said it all.

"It's now important to stand up and be a team and show that we are."

United showed their power of recovery last week, beating rivals Manchester City in the EFL Cup just days after suffering a 4-0 humiliation at Chelsea.

Pedro's goal after 30 seconds at Stamford Bridge changed the dynamics of that match, as did Sow's for Fenerbahce on Thursday.

"I think if there is an early goal in the game, the game is already different," Blind said

"But still we have enough quality to fight back

"I think we showed we are capable of doing some great attacks, but it wasn't enough and we are very disappointed with the result."

That dismay was exacerbated by Paul Pogba limping off after 30 minutes.

The world's most expensive player took a blow to his thigh in a robust challenge and is a doubt for the trip to Swansea - a match Ander Herrera, Antonio Valencia and Eric Bailly will definitely miss.

Losing Pogba would be another setback but Blind believes United have more than enough strength in depth to cope, highlighted by Zlatan Ibrahimovic replacing the France midfielder in Turkey.

"Of course Pogba is a great player for us but we have a great team so if there is a change, we can try and manage that the best we can," he said.

"We have loads of quality players in the team, so if you see Pogba out, Zlatan comes in

I think that says enough."

Source : PA

Source: PA