Europa League Draw 2016: Full List of Group-Stage Fixtures and Dates

Manchester United will play Fenerbahce, Feyenoordand Zorya Luhanskin the UEFA Europa League group stage, it was confirmed on Friday.The Red Devils are the big favourites for this title having failed to qualify for European footballs top-tier competition last term.Elsewhere, Southampton will go up against Inter Milan, Sparta Prague andHapoel Beer-Shevain their group.Here is the draw in full and a closer look at a couple of teams expected to go far in this seasons competition.Manchester UnitedHaving acquired one of the worlds best coaches in Jose Mourinho, a world-class forward in Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba, the most expensive player of all-time, this summer, Uniteds squad is one that plenty would expect to go far in the UEFA Champions League.While their absence from that competition will be a disappointment, it means that Mourinho has a great chance of steering his side to a European title in his first season in charge. The Portuguese will be confident of overcoming Fenerbahce, Feyenoord and Zorya Luhansk, too.He certainly has the personnel to warrant the favourites tag. Oliver Kay of the Times believes the early signs are positive for the Red Devils:Itll be fascinating to see just how often we see the likes of Pogba and Ibrahimovic in this competition throughout the season. Mourinho is not a manager to make wholesale changes, although the Europa League is notoriously draining for the teams taking part.For players like Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard, itll be a brilliant chance to show they can make an impact in the vital games after breakthrough campaigns last year. Should United make a deep run in the tournament, expect the team to get stronger and stronger.Its a competition that should trigger happy memories for Mourinho. As noted by Sportingintelligence, the last time he was involved in it he was successful:The Premier League title is likely to remain Uniteds priority, though, and therefore, it wouldnt be a great surprise to see some tinkering in these fixtures. Mourinho may see the competition as an ideal stage to formulate clearer opinions on players on the periphery of his starting XI.Inter MilanNew manager Frank de Boer has plenty of work to do at the San Siro this season, although a trophy win would certainly aid in endearing himself to the Inter faithful.The club fell into a malaise under his predecessor Roberto Mancini, with uninspiring football making for some arduous matches in Milan. The Dutchman will at least seek to play a more expansive style in 2016-17, and a possession-based ethos could see them thrive in the Europa League next season.After a 2-0 loss to Chievo in their Serie A opener, the size of the task at hand would have become a lot clearer for the Dutchman. ESPN FCs David Amoyal believes the appointment of De Boer is a risky move in itself:Sparta, Southampton andHapoel Beer-Shevawill be hoping to capitalise on an Inter side that may well be in transition when the fixtures are playedand the Nerazzurri will likely have one eye on upcoming Serie A challenges.Nevertheless, De Boer has a lot of quality to call upon, with an attack consisting of Mauro Icardi, Antonio Candreva and Ivan Perisic enough to cause major issues for any team in the competition, especially when supported by two-time Europa League-winner Ever Banega.
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