Manchester United's Europa League hopes are in danger following tonight's 2-1 loss to Fenerbahce.

Jose Mourinho's Red Devils stuttered during a difficult night at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul where it seems increasingly tough for English teams to win.

Despite Wayne Rooney scoring his 38th goal in European competition, United were unable to find a late equaliser after strikes from Moussa Sow and Jeremain Lens.

The opener came inside 2 minutes in quite spectacular fashion when Sow produced a stunning overhead kick from Hasan Ali Kaldirim's floated cross which prompted a raucous celebration from the home fans.

United were a little wasteful after going a goal down and it came back to haunt them just before the hour-mark when Lens, on loan from the Premier League's bottom side Sunderland, curled a delightful free-kick beyond David De Sea after a questionable foul from Zlatan Ibrahimovic on Mehmet Topal.

2-0 and the Red Devils were anxious which forced a frantic end to the contest which saw Rooney produce a cracking strike from range before former Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel appeared to handle Ander Herrera's shot only for the referee to wave away the penalty protests.

The final result means United dropped to third on the Group A table behind Fener and Feyenoord, who drew 1-1 with Zorya Luhansk.

United are on six points, one behind to the top two, ahead of the November 24 clash with Feyenoord at Old Trafford.

2016/17 UEFA Europa League - Group A

Fenerbahce (TUR): 2 (Moussa Sow 2', Jeremain Lens 59')
Manchester United (ENG): 1 (Wayne Rooney 89')
Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey