Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce side are “mixed with unhappiness and hopelessness” ahead of their clash with Manchester United on Thursday, according to club legend Volkan Demirel.

The Istanbul giants appointed Mourinho on a surprise two-year deal in June, looking to reclaim the Turkish Super Lig title from arch rivals Galatasaray.

Former manager Ismail Kartal amassed a stunning 99 points last season but still missed out on the title and it is Galatasaray who lead the race again.

Mourinho’s side, meanwhile, are down in fourth and are already eight points behind their eternal rivals. They also missed out on Champions League qualification after losing to Lille in the qualification rounds.

It has not been plaining sailing for the former United boss, though a statement win against Erik ten Hag’s men in Thursday’s Europa League clash would be quite the way to get the season back on track.

“Right now, this Fenerbahce team is mixed with unhappiness and hopelessness,” Demirel told Fanatik.

“Why the unhappiness? Because of the environment they are in. Why the hopelessness?

“We were all expecting something. We were expecting it from Jose Mourinho, we were expecting it from the transfers that were made. We were saying let’s see after the international break, but nothing has changed at the moment, but it will obviously continue like this. We waited to see if we could see a change, a variability, but it didn’t happen.

“We have not seen any changes in the game designs of the matches played at home and away, any player preferences against the teams played, or any planned methods according to the opponent. Or if you are leading 2-1, will Fenerbahce play a 7-man defence? A big question mark.”

United are yet to win in the Europa League season, following up a disappointing 1-1 draw with FC Twente in their opening game with a chaotic 3-3 draw against FC Porto last time out.