Fenerbahce head coach Jose Mourinho has clarified why Bright Osayi-Samuel was replaced just past the hour mark in the team’s 1-1 Europa League draw against Manchester United on Thursday night. Contrary to initial speculation, Mourinho confirmed that the substitution was due to injury rather than tactical reasons, with the former Queens Park Rangers winger replaced by Rodrigo Becão.

The Nigeria international had been playing cautiously after picking up a yellow card for a foul on Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho in the 60th minute. Mourinho highlighted the current injury crisis Fenerbahce is facing, which has required players to fill unfamiliar roles on the field.

“We lost Osayi because he got injured later,” Mourinho stated on Fenerbahce’s official site. “We are in a difficult situation with injuries and UEFA list restrictions. Djiku had to move to the right, while Mert Müldür, who isn’t a natural left-back, covered on the left.”

This latest setback adds to Osayi-Samuel’s difficult season, marked by multiple injuries. The fullback has missed Fenerbahce’s last six Turkish Super Lig games and withdrew from Nigeria’s September international squad due to an ankle injury, serving as a non-playing substitute against Libya earlier this month.

With only eight months left on his contract, Osayi-Samuel can negotiate a pre-contract with foreign clubs starting in January. When asked about his plans, he kept his response brief, stating, “I don’t know, it’s not up to me.”