Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Europa League group-stage meeting between Manchester United and Fenerbahce at Old Trafford. We are still in the early throes of this competition, which it is fair to say that the Red Devils would rather not be competing in - they have Louis van Gaal to thank for that - but three points will very much be on the agenda for the hosts tonight.

United have made a mixed start to their European campaign this term, much like they have in the Premier League in these early days of manager Jose Mourinho's tenure, winning one and losing one of their opening two fixtures to find themselves sitting in third place. Opponents Fenerbahce lead the way as we approach the midway point in proceedings, with four points from a possible six on offer so far.

TEAM NEWS!

MANCHESTER UNITED XI: De Gea; Darmian, Smalling, Bailly, Shaw; Carrick, Pogba; Lingard, Mata, Martial; Rooney

FENERBAHCE XI: Volkan; Sener, Kjaer, Skrtel, Hasan Ali; Neustadter, Josef, Mehmet; Alper, Volkan Sen, Van Persie

Starting with a look at the home team, then, and Mourinho - who promised a strong side for this evening's match - has made seven changes to the side that held Liverpool to a goalless draw on Monday. David de Gea, Chris Smalling, Eric Bailly and, perhaps a little surprisingly, Paul Pogba all retain their place from that anti-climax at Anfield. Despite the mass changes, this is still a very strong-looking United side; one that is more than capable of getting the job done here tonight.

Rooney was always likely to start this game, having been left on the bench for his club side's last four outings as well as England's latest qualifier, but the big topic of discussion in the build-up centred around where exactly he would be fielded. It looks as though the skipper will lead the way against Fenerbahce, much like he did against the same opposition on his debut 12 years ago, with Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata and Anthony Martial providing the attacking ammunition.

Elsewhere, there is a rare start at the back for Matteo Darmian who, if recent reports are to be believed, is likely to be on his way to Inter Milan when the transfer window reopens in just a couple of months' time. Luke Shaw is on the other flank has he puts his injury woes firmly behind him, while Smalling and Bailly are given another chance to strengthen their central-defensive partnership as they are two of three outfield players to retain their places in the side from last time out.

In terms of the visitors, the big news is that Robin van Persie starts against his former club. The Dutchman scored 58 goals in 105 appearances for the Red Devils before departing for Fenerbahce in 2015 after falling out of favour under then-boss Van Gaal, with many putting his decision to leave down to Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement less than 12 months after signing Van Persie from Arsenal. He is still well regarded in these parts, which is not quite the case at his current side.

Twenty-three goals in 56 games for the Turkish giants is not a bad return at all, but he has found the net just once in an injury-plagued campaign this time out and is not exactly in the club chiefs' good books. The Dutchman will have a chance to impress from the off today at Old Trafford, as will former Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel who also requires no introduction. Alongside him is Simon Kjaer, who found the net deep into added time in Fener's opening match against Zorya Luhansk.

Fenerbahce are managed by a familiar face, as former Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat was appointed earlier this year but has already come under fire following some disappointing results. The Dutchman has had injury issues to contend with and was brought in too late to sign his own players, but in terms of tonight's side he fields Mehmet Topal and Josef de Souza in defensive midfield - two real battlers who will be tough to break down.

BENCH WATCH!

MANCHESTER UNITED SUBS: Romero, Fosu-Mensah, Rojo, Fellaini, Memphis, Rashford, Ibrahimovic

FENERBAHCE SUBS: Fabiano, Ismail, Caner Koca, Ramazan, Stoch, Emenike

An extremely talented bench named by United this evening - both Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcus Rashford on stand-by in case things do not go to plan for the Red Devils. Timothy Fosu-Mensah is also among the back-ups, fresh on the back of signing a new four-year deal at the club, while Marouane Fellaini and Memphis Depay provide some midfield depth. No place for Henrikh Mkhitaryan, meanwhile, who is seemingly still suffering from a thigh injury picked up over a month ago.

Fenerbahce, managed by ex-Sunderland chief Dick Advocaat these days, have a couple of familiar faces in their starting ranks this evening. Former Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel takes his place in defence, while Robin van Persie - arguably the key member of United's last title-winning squad - is also in the Fener XI and will receive a positive response from the home fans. Seven changes for the Red Devils, meanwhile, with Paul Pogba among those to retain his place.

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Another big night ahead of United, then, as they aim to overtake Fenerbahce and potentially climb to the top of the Group A standings. It has been an OK start to the season for Mourinho so far, both domestically in Europe, but the Portuguese faces an almighty week ahead with this match followed up by games against Chelsea and Manchester City across three different competitions. Throw into the mix a crunch clash with Liverpool just a few days ago and it is fair to say that it is all systems go at Old Trafford.

It may seem like a long time ago now but United did kick off the season in style by winning each of their opening four fixtures, including a 2-1 victory over Leicester City in the Community Shield at Wembley Stadium. Since then it has not been quite so straightforward, though, with that impressive form taking a hit when losing three in succession in the space of a week, which left Mourinho with plenty of questions to answer just a couple of months into his new job.

More recently the Red Devils have gone with games without defeat in all competitions, but that is skewed slightly by successive draws in the Premier League. The stalemate with Stoke City prior to the international break was a really poor result for United, even if Mourinho claimed that he had witnessed his side's best display of the season, though the 0-0 draw against Liverpool on Monday was a far more positive outcome - despite the negative press aimed in the Portuguese's direction over the past 72 hours or so.

These next six days really will be huge for United, however - three wins on the spin and Mourinho will become a temporary hero; defeats in any of the tough-looking fixtures and even more pressure will begin to build. First up is this Europa League clash, in what is a competition that it is fair to say the Red Devils would rather not be competing in. It does offer a chance to build some momentum, though, while also giving the likes of Pogba and Rooney a chance to find their form after disappointing starts to the campaign.

Things did not get off to the best of starts as, just days after losing to Man City on home soil, United suffered another defeat when falling 1-0 to Feyenoord in the Netherlands - a win for the hosts sealed by Tonny Vilhena's late goal. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, on the bench for this third Group A outing, proved to be the hero against a stubborn Zorya side last time out here when he found the net for the only goal of the game.

Victory tonight will be the target for United, in front of around 71,000 supporters - 4,000 shy of the competition-record crowd here for the last-16 tie against Liverpool last season - leaving them on course for a place in the bloated knockout stages. It is a gruelling competition in many ways; one which takes it out of the players and requires plenty of squad rotation - something which we have seen once again from Mourinho today with those seven alterations.

DID YOU KNOW? Manchester United last won back-to-back games in European competition in December 2013 when David Moyes was at the helm. The omens look quite good for the Red Devils tonight, however, as they have lost just twice in their previous seven home matches against Turkish opposition, although one of those defeats did come against Fenerbahce nearly 20 years ago as they inflicted a first home defeat on their opponents in 54 European home games.

Mourinho might be worried by his side's profligacy in this competition, having hit the target with just six of their 33 shots, including blocks, and converted just two of them into goals. Many expected a comfortable win over Zorya last time out which did not turn out to be the case, with this now a far tougher test on paper despite the Turkish side's recent woes under Advocaat in the Super Lig.

Jose Mourinho faces his biggest week yet as the boss of Manchester United, as he prepares his side for games against Fenerbahce, Chelsea and Manchester City across three different competitions - the Europa League, Premier League and EFL Cup respectively. The Portuguese was happy with the Red Devils' point against another tough opponent in Liverpool a few days ago, kicking off this run of games in a decent enough manner.

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Victory for United tonight will pile more pressure on Advocaat, who is having to answer questions about his future just two months on from taking over. The Dutchman spent seven months at the Stadium of Light before stepping down 12 months ago following Sunderland's annual slow start to the campaign, and he now faces an even tougher challenge trying to turn around Fenerbahce's flagging form in the Turkish top flight.

The Yellow Canaries find themselves in ninth place after seven rounds of matches in the Super Lig, already eight points off fellow big boys Besiktas and Galatasaray who have both made far brighter starts to the season. They may have gone six games without defeat in all competitions, but the 1-1 draw with Alanyaspor in their last outing shows that there is still a massive improvement required if they are to challenge for the title.

Things are looking for more positive in the Europa League for Advocaat and his charges, although the opening-game 1-1 draw with Zorya required a goal deep into added time from Kjaer - the latest goal scored in the competition so far this season. That was followed up by a well-earned 1-0 win over Feyenoord on home soil a few weeks back, with the matchwinner from that game - Emmanuel Emineke - being left on the bench from the start tonight at Old Trafford.

Fenerbahce hardly had the best preparation for tonight's clash, meanwhile, as their plane had to be diverted yesterday after a bird hit the cockpit window. That had a knock-on effect, meaning that they were unable to train at Old Trafford on the eve of the game. It remains to be seen just how much of a factor that could be tonight, but Advocaat could probably do with having an excuse ready if his side falls to another defeat.

While United have only played a couple of matches in the Europa League this term, it has been a far tougher journey for their opponents. Fenerbahce would have had hopes of competing in the Champions League, but defeat over two legs to AS Monaco ensured that they would be made to settle for this secondary competition, which they reached thanks to victory over Grasshopper in the playoff round. After all that, they top Group A with two games gone.

With kickoff at the Theatre of Dreams now a little over 10 minutes away, let us turn attention to some pre-match thoughts from both camps.

Jose Mourinho: "We know what [Van Persie's] qualities are. Sometimes with quality like that even if you know what they do it is very hard to stop. I managed to see how good he was in training and the games he played. We are focusing on the whole team. We are wary of him but also the whole team as well."

Dick Advocaat: "If the club thinks they can find a better manager they can do it tomorrow. I am not here for myself. I am here for the club. It's simple. It's very sad. If you want to be at the top then you have to win your home matches. We have to find out what's wrong and I have some ideas on the subject, but this is internal. I can only blame myself and the players."

Mourinho admitted that United are "wary" of Van Persie, who scored 58 goal in 105 outings for the Red Devils before departing for his latest challenge last year. Skrtel is the other well-known face in the Fenerbahce ranks, but they also have a couple of strong defensive midfielders in their starting lineup this evening, which the hosts may find a challenge to navigate. Rooney and Pogba in particular both have a point to prove tonight.

Advocaat already having to fend off questions about his future, meanwhile, just two months after taking on the job. The Yellow Canaries are already left playing catch up in the Turkish top flight, putting even more importance on their European aspirations, which must continue beyond the group stage if this season is not going to be considered a major disappointment. "I can only blame myself and the players," says Advocaat, who is cutting a lonely figure.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS! These two sides have met on two previous occasions, with two wins apiece from those encounters. Fenerbahce won the most recent game, a 3-0 victory in December 2004, but this is a fixture best remembered for Wayne Rooney's stunning debut hat-trick for the Red Devils 12 years ago. Manchester United went on to win that game 6-2 to inflict a joint-heaviest European defeat on their opponents against English opposition.

Both sets of players are now out on the field of play, with kickoff at Old Trafford just five minutes away. A big evening ahead for United in what is a huge week for Mourinho, as they aim to oust Fenerbahce at the summit by taking all three points. Feyenoord and Zorya Luhansk lock horns elsewhere in Group A, with updates from that one throughout the course of the evening.

It has been a tough start to life at Fenerbahce for Dick Advocaat who, just three months into his tenure, is already feeling the heat. A slow start domestically will soon be forgotten about should they pick up a huge win over European heavyweights United tonight, but they face an almighty task against a strong-looking Red Devils side which shows seven changes from the goalless draw with Liverpool three days ago.

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KICKOFF! Wayne Rooney gets us up and running in this Europa League group-stage clash. The Englishman, who starts for the first time in five games, will be looking for something close to the performance which saw him score a debut hat-trick against the same opposition over a decade ago.

Rooney involved early on, dropping deep and drawing a foul from Kjaer to earn his side a free kick. Carrick attempting to dictate the tempo of the play in just his second start of the season, taking his place alongside world-record purchase Pogba.

As mentioned a little earlier, there is around 71,000 inside Old Trafford this evening. A rather subdued atmosphere at the moment, with the travelling contingent the ones making the noise at the moment in their little pocket.

Some nice passing play from the visitors over the past couple of minutes, as they look to build from the back and through midfield - Topal as ever the key to that. Skrtel with a few early touches but he has surprisingly not yet been jeered.

Rooney cannot help but drop deep to find the ball, but there are no runners in behind when he does so. Three-man attacking midfield this evening - Mata, Lingard and Martial - so plenty of pace and guile. United started this one slowly.

The possession count is locked at almost 50-50 following a tame start to this match, which has yet to see any sort of attacking move from either side. Mata looked to change that but his ball for Martial had far too much on it.

Better from United, as they begin to inject some pace into things and probe around the opposition box. Carrick playing high up the pitch which is leaving the hosts open to the counter should Fenerbahce play their cards right.

High-pressing being adopted by United, who are taking a leaf out of some of their Premier League rivals' books, it seems. Pogba just curled away the first shot of the match, which was blocked by the head of Skrtel before it could travel too far.

Mkhitaryan looking on from the stands this evening, as touched upon a little earlier. A bizarre call from Mourinho, who confirmed pre-match that he has shaken off that thigh strain that has plagued him but is lacking match fitness. Surely this is the perfect game for him to return?

This match is heading the same way at the Liverpool one a few days ago, with zero attempts on target so far as we reach the 20-minute mark. The only shot of any note came via the boot of Pogba, but it was well blocked by the head of Skrtel.

Souza is kneed in the back by Darmian, which has led to a stoppage in play as he receives some treatment. That has not helped united's cause, with momentum very hard to come by as we enter the second quarter of this European clash.

Fenerbahce have barely ventured into the opposition half so far, but they have put up a strong defensive showing. The onus is very much on the Red Devils to really get at their opponents on home soil, which so far they have failed to do.

CHANCE! Darmian sends a cross into the box which is well headed away. Mata sent in an even better one moments later, which Martial failed to direct goalwards at the back post from just four yards out. Not an easy one but a chance nonetheless.

United in no real rush to get the ball forward at the moment - passes galore between the back four. Mkhitaryan would be the ideal man to call upon to carve open the Fenerbahce defence, but he has once again been overlooked tonight of course.

Home fans really starting to grown restless now, as more ponderous play gets United nowhere fast. Pogba responds well be spraying a 40-yard pass to Darmian, whose cross was overhit and was never going to be met by Rooney inside the box.

PENALTY TO MANCHESTER UNITED! A great pass from Carrick to Mata, who in turn is brought down by Kjaer. Clearest penalty you are likely to see, and a chance for the hosts to edge themselves ahead from their first attempt of any note.

Pogba, after one of those stuttering run-ups that lasts an eternity, converts from the penalty spot to give Manchester United the lead with a little over half an hour played at Old Trafford. Will that spark the hosts into life?

PENALTY TO MANCHESTER UNITED! Incredible! United have a second pen in the space of two minutes, this time after Martial was shoved to the ground by Ozbayrakli, who was perhaps lucky to avoid being dismissed.

A different taker but the same end result - United have a second from the spot in the same number of minutes, as Martial this time takes over spot-kick duties and finds the back of the net. The home fans wanted Rooney to take it, but he has been relegated to third-choice taker.

SAVE! Carrick is caught in possession and all of a sudden three Fenerbahce players are running at United's unprotected backline. Souza did well to cut inside and fire a shot that was heading for the bottom corner, but De Gea was on hand to stop it with his first involvement in the match.

Both of United's penalties came from fine midfield passes, the first from Carrick and the latest from Mata. Both were the correct call but the talking point now is why Ozbayrakli was not dismissed. It was not an accidental challenge and that therefore merits a straight red.

Well just like that it is all change in Group A. Man United have climbed to the top of the standings and Fenerbahce have slipped from the summit down to third place due to their inferior goal difference. The first chant of "Oh Robin Van Persie!" goes around Old Trafford - different mood now.

Fenerbahce have enjoyed a good spell but have only two corners to show for their efforts, neither of which troubled De Gea. United comfortable now with just moments to go until half time, thanks to those quick-fire pens.

From the final kick of the half, Pogba finds the net for the second time tonight to seal the points for United halfway through the match. It all came from a Kjaer error, as his pass was intercepted by Rooney who in turn fizzed the ball to Lingard inside the area. Lingard then teed up Pogba; the Frenchman picking out the top corner with a fine effort for his third goal in a United shirt.

As good as game over at Old Trafford, then, as Manchester United lead Fenerbahce 3-0 at the interval. Paul Pogba opened the scoring from the spot, just three minutes before Anthony Martial himself tucked away from a penalty, and there was time for the world-record signing to wrap up the point with a fine effort just moments before the referee blew his whistle for half time.

The hosts actually made a slow start to the contest, failing to ask any sort of questions of their opponents despite being allowed to dominate possession in the opening quarter of the match. Paul Pogba had one shot blocked by the head of ex-Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel and Anthony Martial failed to make contact when picked out at the back post, but it was proving to be a frustrating start to the match for the 71,000 spectators inside the Theatre of Dreams.

United were soon on their way, though, with Paul Pogba converting the first penalty when Juan Mata was brought down inside the area, before Anthony Martial did likewise three minutes later after a push from Sener Ozbayrakli who somehow avoided any further punishment from the referee. In just his second start of the season, Michael Carrick's pass from midfield proved key in helping to earn the decisive first spot-kick, though his error 38 minutes in nearly gave the visitors a lifeline in the match.

A ponderous piece of play allowed the Yellow Canaries to attack, with Josef de Souza cutting inside and sending a shot towards the bottom corner which David de Gea kept out from his only involvement of the half. United were able to make sure of the points from the final kick of the opening 45 minutes, as Jesse Lingard teed the ball up for Pogba to curl a screamer into the top corner - his second of the night and third since rejoining the club in a record-breaking move.

Plain sailing for the hosts with 45 minutes of the match left to play, then, while for opposition boss Dick Advocaat his position as Fenerbahce head coach is looking even more perilous. Will the Dutchman make any changes at the break? Here is a reminder of both sides' benches.

MANCHESTER UNITED SUBS: Romero, Fosu-Mensah, Rojo, Fellaini, Memphis, Rashford, Ibrahimovic

FENERBAHCE SUBS: Fabiano, Ismail, Caner Koca, Ramazan, Stoch, Emenike

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RESTART! We are back up and running at Old Trafford, where there have indeed been some changes. Chris Smalling is given a well deserved rest as he is replaced by Marcos Rojo, while Emmanuel Emineke is on for Simon Kjaer.

United cruising to victory now, as Rooney shifts the ball on to Lingard who in turn finds the bottom corner for his first ever European goal. If the game was not won beforehand, it certainly is now and Mourinho may well be thinking of resting another key player.

A good opening for Fenerbahce, as Sen gets in behind Shaw and fizzes the ball across the face of goal. Emenike just could not get on the end of it, however, and the Yellow Canaries' woes continue as they require a miracle.

Just a case of United remaining professional now. There is a chance to score another few because, although they lead by four goals, this is hardly been a vintage display from the Red Devils. Mourinho will now be desperate to keep that clean sheet intact.

GROUP A UPDATE! We have just had a breakthrough goal in the other Group A clash taking place this evening between Zorya Luhansk and Feyenoord, with the Dutch side taking the lead to join United on six points at the top of the table.

Mourinho surely tempted into making the second of those changes now, with some back-up players looking to get minutes under their belt. Expect Pogba and Rooney to remain on the field as they are both enjoying themselves at long last.

United have not really looked like adding to their tally since that Lingard strike, while Fenerbahce are still waiting for their first opening of the half. Just the once chance all game for the visitors, in fact, which De Gea did well to keep out.

CLOSE! For the first time tonight Van Persie is given space on the edge of the box to take on the shot, which he sends just inches wide of the target. De Gea was rooted to this spot and was grateful to see it end the other side of the post.

Van Persie sends in a free kick from wide which goes out for a corner. Emineke wanted a penalty due to a shove from Rooney - he has a case but it would have been harsh had the referee pointed to the spot for a third time.

MANChESTER UNITED SUB! The perfect occasion for Memphis Depay to be introduced; the Dutchman struggling for confidence at the moment but with a chance to get at a poor Fenerbahce side. Lingard the man to make way 65 minutes in.

One more alteration available for Mourinho to choose from, which will likely be Fosu-Mensah to give the youngster - fresh on the back of signing a new four-year deal - some much-needed playing time. This contest rather petering out now.

FENERBAHCE SUB! Koybasi is on for Sen now with a little over 20 minutes to play - the visitors' second change of the match. Another United attack breaks down, as the struggle to find momentum to bag a fifth goal.

A real positive result for United as things stand, then, but it has not been the greatest of games for the neutral - despite the four goals. Those two quick-fire pens proved to be the Yellow Canaries' undoing - they have been out of the game since that point.

Former United ace Van Persie is back on the pitch now after ripping his shirt. Fosu-Mensah is being readied to come on now, with word that Pogba is the player who will make way following his two-goal showing.

MANCHESTER UNITED SUB! Fosu-Mensah is indeed introduced for the final quarter of the match, replacing Pogba who leaves the field to a standing ovation. Two goals will do his confidence the world of good, and that change means Rooney will play the full 90,

SAVE! United's first chance since going four goals ahead, as the ball is played through to Mata who has only the keeper to beat. The Spaniard came out second best in that battle with Volkan Demirel, seeing his shot kept out down low.

That Mata shot was the only other on-target attempt of this second half, which has badly petered out since Lingard killed off Fenerbahce for good. Only 11 minutes left to play now - still time for the Red Devils to add a fifth to their tally.

The ball falls nicely for Souza to strike, but he gets his attempt all wrong and sends his attempt a good six or seven yards over the bar in the end. Fenerbahce have been very poor tonight, creating just the one chance all match.

He has barely done anything all night but Robin van Persie was just destined to get his name on the scoresheet. Emenike created it, holding the ball up and picking out the Dutchman from just a few yards out - cue applause from all 71,000 in attendance, including Sir Alex Ferguson.

SAVE! Good stop from De Gea to push aside another Souza attempt. It has taken the best part of 80 minutes but finally the visitors have shown some attacking intent! Far too late to make any sort of difference on the result.

Two minutes of normal time left to play now, with presumably three or four minutes of extra time to be played on top of that. Mourinho will be annoyed that the clean sheet went begging, but the home fans do not care - they wanted Van Persie to score.

Just the two minutes of time added on at Old Trafford, with the referee clearly keen to put Fenerbahce fans out of their misery. The Red Devils will end the night joint-top of Group A, alongside Feyenoord who also have six points from nine.

Manchester United comfortably see out the closing stages to make it back-to-back wins in Europe - the first time that has happened in three years. Fenerbahce gave a poor account of themselves but did at least pull one back late on through returning hero Robin van Persie, as they slip from top to third in Europa League Group A.

That concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events at Old Trafford. An on-the-whistle report can be found by clicking here, while reaction will follow over the next hour or so. Thanks for joining!