The Europa League may be the Champions League’s runt sibling, but Manchester United find themselves in the second tier of continental football and must give it a go this term.

On paper, their group should be more than negotiable, with Feyenoord and Zorya Luhansk arguably the two sides most likely to be cut adrift at the bottom. So Thursday’s clash against Fenerbahce, we suspect, will be pivotal in deciding who progresses as the top dog.

Man United have three points on the board already and a home tie against the Turkish giants will be viewed with some optimism - even though Zorya proved a tough nut to crack at Old Trafford.

Despite this, we at FFC Towers think that it will be a hard night at the Theatre of Dreams. Fener are by no means a European heavyweight, but they will pose a threat. Here are THREE reasons a shock could be on the cards…

Man United’s heart is not in the Europa League

Football Soccer - Feyenoord v Manchester United - UEFA Europa League Group Stage - Group A - De Kuip Stadium, Rotterdam, Netherlands - 15/9/16 Manchester United's Paul Pogba Action Images via Reuters / Matthew Childs Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY.

Mourinho’s lack of respect for the Europa League has never been in doubt. The Portuguese boss has clearly made the continental cup one of his least valued challenges in his debut season at Old Trafford, which has been somewhat reflected in his team selections thus far. Defeat in Feyenoord was suffered as a result, which was followed by a narrow 1-0 win over Ukrainian minnows Zorya Luhansk.

European release

Football Soccer - Fenerbahce SK v Celtic - UEFA Europa League Group Stage - Group A - Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey - 10/12/15 A Fenerbahce fan before the game Action Images via Reuters / Peter Cziborra Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY.

Fener’s domestic season has not been the story of success they may have predicted. 2015/16’s runners-up have started in below par fashion with nine points from seven games, leaving them ninth in the Super Lig - some eight points adrift of early pace setters, Istanbul BB. However, they are undefeated in the Europa League and have slayed Feyenoord already, hinting that they are finding continental football a nice distraction.

Star names

Football - Celtic v Fenerbahce - UEFA Europa League Group Stage - Group A - Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland - 1/10/15 Fenerbahce's Robin Van Persie at the end of the game Action Images via Reuters / Lee Smith Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY.

Although the motivation to make a move to Turkish football may be somewhat questionable, the cash the Istanbul club can pay their players has attracted some decent stars. Martin Skrtel and Simon Kjaer are a good centre-back pairing while Gregory van der Wiel at right-back is a threat. Robin van Persie is also present, and Jeremain Lens and Moussa Sow are menacing prospects on the counter-attack.