Manchester United will welcome the Turkish side Fenerbahce tonight to contest the third fixture of the UEFA Europa League.

Mourinho’s men started off their new campaign with a bang as they recorded three back to back victory, but since the slump against Manchester City, the side has observed a great decline in almost every area of the field. The side has been lacking that attacking thrust and the recent back to back draws against the likes of Stoke City and Liverpool certainly supports the statement. It’s like van Gaal’s era all over again but with less possession.

With that being said, the side will be looking to overcome the goal drought against the struggling Turkish side, Fenerbahce. Just like Manchester United, DickAdvocaat will be traveling to Old Trafford on the back of two league draws, but most of all, this game will be an emotional return for their 33-year-old striker Robin van Persie.

Furthermore, Manchester United have been highly inconsistent in the competition as they started it with a defeat to Feyenoord and then somehow managed to grab the winner against an unknown Zorya side. Surely a tough game to play and besides that, a game to prove a point.

Manchester United vs Fenerbahce Team News:

Manchester United missed the French duo Anthony Martial and Morgan Schneiderlin against Liverpool due to their respective injuries, but the club has confirmed that both the players have returned to training, but maybe it’s too early to hand them a big game like this.

Furthermore, the good news for United is the return of Luke Shaw and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. The manager himself has confirmed that the former Southampton man will be named in the United side for the game. The Portuguese also stated that the Armenian international, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, is fit now and could start the game against the Turks.

Besides all of this, the inclusion of Wayne Rooney in the starting XI is the biggest question. The 30-year-old was named on the bench against Liverpool and with a game against Chelsea coming up in the weekend, it is fair to say that he might get his chance against Fenerbahce, the team against whom he scored his first Manchester United hat-trick.

A change in the midfield pairing is also expected due to the same reason (game against Chelsea in coming weekend) and with Schneiderlin out, Carrick might start alongside Pogba.

For the visitors, players like Ozan Tufan, Salih Ucan, Jermaine Lens and Moussa Sow might miss the game due to their respective injuries, while Uygar Zeybek will be a sure absentee.

Predicted Line-Up:

Manchester United:

Romero

Fosu-Mensah; Bailly; Smalling; Shaw

Carrick; Pogba

Lingard; Rooney; Mkhitaryan

Rashford

Fenerbahce:

Demirel

van der Weil; Kjaer; Skrtel; Kaldirim

Topal; Souza

Potuk; van Persie; Stoch

Emenike

Stats:

• The clubs are meeting for the fifth time in European competitions, with both teams winning twice each previously
• None of the four matches in Group A have seen more than two goals scored in the game
• No team has had fewer shots on target than Manchester United (4) in the Europa League this season
• Manchester United are unbeaten in 12 European home fixtures (W9 D3)
• Wayne Rooney needs one more goal to equal Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record as United’s all-time top scorer in European competitions.

Tactics and Prediction:

It is fair to say that both that teams have had a rather similar start to the season as United are at seventh spot with four wins and two defeats and Fenerbahce are on ninth with two wins and two defeats. Both that teams will be going for the three points, but time around, United are expected to play with more attacking intent.

A complete defensive strategy was seen against Liverpool but that got the point for the Devils. But this time indeed, they need to get the victory else their further qualification in the competition will be in jeopardy. Compared to Liverpool, Fenerbahce will be a slower side, hence the inclusion of Carrick can well and truly be justified. The defence won’t be an issue at all, but the players do need to assert their authority offensively. Rooney is expected to start, while Mkhitaryan and Lingard could step on the wings and will try to exploit the Turkish defence with their skills and that will give Rashford enough space to use his pace and bag one or two goals for the men in Red.

A 3-1 victory to United is what we predict.