Three things we learned from Thursday's European matches

Three more Premier League clubs have continued their UEFA Europa and Conference League campaigns this week. Tom Hancock analyses the key takeaways.

Ten Hag's latest midfield combination

Fenerbahce 1-1 Man Utd

With Jose Mourinho managing a home team containing former Old Trafford players Fred and Sofyan Amrabat and Erik ten Hag playing left-back Noussair Mazraoui in the number 10 role, Manchester United’s UEFA Europa League trip to Fenerbahce was teeming with potential narrative.

Mourinho’s sending off provided the headline moment, but Christian Eriksen was the main man as far as the on-field action was concerned.

The 32-year-old Denmark midfielder has been indispensable during the opening months of 2024/25 and created a match-high four chances amid a typically hostile atmosphere in Istanbul.

Eriksen’s 15th-minute opener – an emphatic finish from the edge of the box to round off a slick counter-attack which began with the tenacious Manuel Ugarte winning possession in his own half – was his ninth goal involvement (five goals, four assists) in his last 10 appearances for club and country.

For various reasons, Ten Hag has used six different double-pivot combinations in all competitions this season.

Eriksen and Ugarte had started side-by-side once before – in last month’s 1-1 Europa League draw with FC Twente – but here they showed real signs of how well they complement one another.

As the scoreline suggests, United’s performance was not complete as they extended their winless run in Europe to exactly a year. The relative ease with which Fenerbahce equalised highlighted the defensive vulnerabilities that persist. But Ten Hag might just have found his new go-to midfield axis, and it would be no surprise to see the pair start together at West Ham United on Sunday.

At least until Kobbie Mainoo returns from injury and gives his manager a nice selection headache.

See: Man Utd line-up and report

Youngsters star again for Spurs

Spurs 1-0 AZ Alkmaar

Tottenham Hotspur made it five home wins from six in all competitions this season by beating AZ Alkmaar to maintain their 100 per cent record in the Europa League, as Richarlison scored on his first start of the campaign.

The Brazilian’s 53rd-minute penalty may have been the only goal of the night in North London, but Spurs’ second-string side scarcely allowed their Dutch opponents a sniff.

Mikey Moore threatened from both wings in his latest lively showing for Ange Postecoglou’s team – and should have opened his Spurs account with an early header – while fellow teenage starlet Archie Gray looked assured again at right-back, as he continued his run of playing every minute of every non-Premier League match so far this season.

Spurs head to struggling Crystal Palace on Sunday and with that being the first of five matches in 15 days before the next international break, rotation is going to be of the essence – and a precocious young talent who already has fans on their feet isn’t a bad thing to have at your disposal.

With captain Son Heung-min a doubt for the visit to Selhurst Park, could Moore be in line for his first Premier League start?

His boss is clearly as thrilled by what he’s seeing from him as the Spurs supporters are.

“It’s exciting. Every challenge we throw to him, he thrives on," Postecoglou said. "He’s a great kid, working hard every day, and it’s exciting for us and the football club.”

See: Spurs line-up and report

Chelsea's strength in depth offers selection poser for Maresca

Panathinaikos 1-4 Chelsea

The UEFA Conference League looks like it will prove a valuable competition for Chelsea, who assuredly made it two wins from two in the league phase.

Once again, expectedly, Enzo Maresca made full use of his substantial squad depth by fielding an entirely different starting XI to that which began the Blues’ previous league outing - Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at Liverpool.

On what was always going to be a deeply emotional night in Athens - this was Panathinaikos’ first home match since the tragic passing of their defender George Baldock - several of Chelsea’s fringe players made compelling cases for themselves.

Having impressed after replacing Jadon Sancho at half-time last time out, Pedro Neto made his second Conference League start for Chelsea, lining up on the right of an attacking midfield trio completed by Joao Felix as a No 10 and Mykhailo Mudryk wide left.

Neto's cross for Mudryk's goal

And while Neto’s substitution just after the hour mark suggests that he’s in line to start Sunday’s home Premier League match against Newcastle United, all three players impressed in this comfortable victory.

The telepathic understanding between Mudryk and Felix for the Blues’ opener will have pleased Maresca, as will Neto’s inch-perfect cross for Mudryk to head in his side’s third goal - a sign of the kind of ammunition he could provide at Stamford Bridge this weekend.

See: Chelsea line-up and report