Manchester United finished a very disappointing 5th in the Premier League last season meaning that they are taking part in the Europa League this campaign – and our Red Devils fans here in the Transfer Tavern are still coming to terms with it…
Jose Mourinho has already expressed his sincere frustration at a club of this stature not featuring in the elite European competition.
Nevertheless, they are required to take part in the Europa League and the draw provided some interesting ties.
The team that that Rooney made his debut against, Fenerbache, return to Old Trafford. Famously in that game, the 18-year-old scored a hat-trick and will hope to repeat the trick on the 20th October.
Ukrainian side Zorya Luhansk are also drawn in the group alongside Dutch club Feyenoord.
However, that amount of travelling is not ideal considering that United are likely to be playing Thursday-Sunday every alternative week.
That said, the punters in here still think United will obliterate Feyenoord and here’s THREE reasons why……
The power of Zlatan
The Eredivisie side conceded 40 times in the league last season and if they give Zlatan any space, we in the Tavern think it could be catastrophic.
His age provided some question marks about his signature, but he has lit up Old Trafford so far and scored in his first two Premier League matches.
His record in Europe is frightening too, with his best goal scoring season occurring only last year whilst at PSG.
The Swedish superstar is adamant that his best days are still yet to come and there is no better place to prove that then on the European stage.
The pace on the wings
United have so much pace to burn on the wings this season. Anthony Martial was the Red Devils’ best player last season, and whilst he hasn’t reached those heights just yet, we think it is only a matter of time.
Added to that, United have signed former Dortmund winger and Armenian international Henrikh Mkhitaryan to their ranks, adding another player to their pacey attack.
However, it is not just the two expensive commodities that could provide the United attack with some blistering speed. Last season, homegrown talents Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford impressed during their United appearances.
Lingard famously scored the winner in the FA Cup Final but finally seems to have matured into a very solid player.
Rashford on the other hand is only just beginning. The fresh faced teenager broke onto the scene last season, scoring goals against Arsenal and Midtjylland before netting the winner in the Manchester Derby at the Etihad.
With so many options, we can’t work out how United will fail to breakthrough the Feyenoord rearguard.
The abundance of strength in midfield
Jose Mourinho has always been known for wanting strong players, willing to put a shift in for their team.
That was partly the reason that Juan Mata was actually allowed to leave for Manchester United.
The signing of Paul Pogba just shows how much Mourinho values a strong, box-to-box and hard working football player.
When he was in charge at Chelsea during his first tenure, he made Claude Makelele one of the most important players.
The Frenchman was a tireless workhorse who helped guide Chelsea to their first title victory in 50 years.
Alongside Belgian Marouane Fellaini, United now have that power in abundance with the signing of Paul Pogba.
Don’t forget, they also have the class and guile of Morgan Schneiderlin and Ander Herrera on the bench, so the options Jose Mourinho has at his disposal are first class.
Whatever team he chooses to play at De Kuip, we at the Tavern think that United could obliterate their famous Dutch opponents.
