17.10.2016 14:07 h

Advocaat under pressure ahead of Man Utd clash

Fenerbahce's Dutch manager Dick Advocaat was Monday under pressure to turn around a disappointing season after another league setback for the Istanbul giants, days ahead of a Europa League clash against Manchester United.

Advocaat, who took the reins at the Yellow Canaries at the start of this season, admitted after a frustrating 1-1 draw against Alanyaspor over the weekend his own position was in question, saying the club "could find a better one (manager)" if it wanted.

With seven games played, Fenerbahce are in a lowly ninth place in the Super Lig with just nine points and slipping further and further out of title contention.

"I can only blame myself and the players," Advocaat said late Sunday, adding the team had nonetheless "worked their socks off".

"If the club thinks that they can find a better one (manager) they can do it tomorrow. I am not here for myself. I am here for the club. It's simple."

He admitted that Fenerbahce were lacking effectiveness in front of goal. "Strikers must score goals. They want to score but they did not. You have to ask, why not?"

The game against Alanyaspor saw Advocaat's compatriot, the former Manchester United star striker Robin Van Persie, play the full 90 minutes after an injury-plagued season. But he failed to have a major impact.

"If you want to play for the championship you need more. And I don't just mean Van Persie, I mean the total team."

Fenerbahce take on Manchester United away on Thursday in Group A of the Europa League in an eagerly-awaited reunion of Van Persie with his former club.

The Turkish side in earlier matches beat Feyenoord at home but drew away to Zorya Luhansk.

In a colourful managerial career spanning over three decades, Advocaat had most recently managed clubs including Zenit St Petersburg and Sunderland as well as a successful stint of over three years with Scottish club Rangers from 1998-2001.