Manchester United Europa League group guide

Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho.

Jose Mourinho is more accustomed to playing in front of the Kop than De Kuip, but will this season lead a team out in Europe's second tier tournament for the first time since 2002/03.

Manchester United have been drawn against Fenerbahce, Feyenoord and Zorya Luhansk in Group A of the Europa League.

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

While United fans may be familiar with some of their opponents, others are less well known.

So before Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic grace the Slavutych Arena, we've provided this handy guide to United's group stage opposition.

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

The loss of Nani to Valencia was a huge blow to the Turkish side but in Fernandão and Robin van Persie, Advocaat has two strikers capable of hurting United.

Fener dispatched Grasshopper 5-0 on aggregate to reach the Europa group stage, but elsewhere have enjoyed mixed success at the beginning of this season.

They beat Monaco at home in their Champions League play-off but ultimately lost out to the Ligue 1 side. They also lost their opening league match of the season.

Despite these results, Advocaat has a decent defence with Martin Skrtel, Gregory van der Wiel and Simon Kjaer part of his squad.

Mourinho has described Fenerbahce as "Champions league" quality and they will likely be United's toughest group opponents.

Dirk Kuyt netted 23 goals for Feyenoord last season but he's not the only important player in Rotterdam. Michiel Kramer, Eljero Elia and Tonny Wilhena all provide attacking threat for the Eredivisie side.

Feyenoord manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst [PHOTO: COURTESY]

Van Bronckhorst's side lost the Dutch Super Cup 1-0 to PSV at the beginning of the season but have been strong since.

Feyenoord may lack the glamour of a Champions League side but they are competent at both ends of the pitch and won't be easy for United to break down. Their last three matches have seen them score eight goals without reply.

Last season saw Zorya finished fourth in the Ukrainian Premier League for the second consecutive year. This season they were rewarded with a spot in the Europa group stage, but that wasn't the case last summer. In 2015 they were forced to contest a play-off with Legia Warsaw, which they lost 4-2 on aggregate.

Manager Yuriy Vernydub [PHOTO: COURTESY]

Zorya's status as relative unknowns will have them portrayed as the weak link in Group A, but trips to Ukraine are rarely easy and Vernydub's side have started the season well, winning four and drawing one of their opening five matches.

Speaking about Zorya, Mourinho said: "The Ukrainian team I don't have a vision of them or their qualities."

He won't be the only one.

Athletics
Kenyan stars ready for World Cross showdown in Belgrade
By Ben Ahenda 4 hrs ago
Motorsport
Safari Rally 2024: Tanak urges Kenyan children to take up motorsports as a career
Rugby
SCHOOLS: From the classroom to the field, Kisumu Girls ready to lift national rugby trophy
Motorsport
Safari Rally 2024: Neuville clinches Kasarani stage as Hyundai makes intention known