Mourinho: United up for Europa

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho intends to treat the Europa League with the respect it deserves.

The Red Devils were handed a trip into the unknown after being drawn against Ukrainian side Zorya Luhansk in Group A.

However, they will also come up against familiar faces at Fenerbahce, who have former United striker Robin van Persie in their ranks, while Dutch opponents Feyenoord have former Liverpool men in forward Dirk Kuyt and goalkeeper Brad Jones.

Mourinho said: “We all know the competition is not the same as the Champions League but to have Manchester United playing against clubs with tradition like Fenerbahce and Feyenoord is good for us.

“I don’t have more vision about Ukraine. We know that it will be a difficult group, but I think that is a good thing. If you have teams without expression then even the fans may not enjoy Thursday nights at Old Trafford.

“It is good for the fans and for the players because it will help motivation.”

Mourinho has at least been able to avoid a lengthy trip between Premier League encounters against Liverpool and Chelsea away.

United – who have the potentially-tricky trip to Ukraine as their last fixture on December 8 – will be at home to Fenerbahce on October 20, the Thursday in between those two fixtures against their domestic rivals.

Southampton have a glamour tie against Inter Milan and have also been drawn against Sparta Prague and Israel’s Hapoel Be’er Sheva, who gave Celtic a scare in their Champions League qualifier.

Southampton’s executive director of football Les Reed said: “It’s a very exciting draw for everyone involved at the football club.”