Fenerbahce coach Jose Mourinho explained why he replaced Bright Osayi-Samuel during their 1-1 Europa League draw with Manchester United.
Mourinho explained that the substitution was not tactical but rather an injury worry that hampers the team’s flexibility in the lineup.
Fenerbahce’s Problems Compound Injury Crisis
The Nigerian international was substituted off shortly after being given a yellow card for a foul on Alejandro Garnacho.
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Mourinho explained his decisions weren’t tactical, rather he said the team is suffering from an injury crisis and he has had to move players around.
“We lost Osayi because he got injured later,” Mourinho said via the club’s official website, adding that defender Alexander Djiku had to fill in at right back due to a depleted roster.
Osayi-Samuel’s Future Uncertain
Osayi-Samuel has been plagued by injuries this season and has missed several Fenerbahce games and withdrew from Nigeria’s national squad recently.
He could leave for a foreign club as early as January, after his contract expires in eight months. When asked what he planned to do, he replied, ‘I don’t know; it’s not up to me.’
Osayi-Samuel was spotted limping after the game and now faces a tight timetable to be fit to play for Fenerbahce’s next match against Bodrum.
