How to watch and follow Fenerbahce v United

Thursday's 20:00 BST kick-off against former manager Jose Mourinho's side is a third outing in the competition this term, following draws with FC Twente and FC Porto.

The hosts will be tough opponents, with Mourinho immediately focusing on trying to win the trophy after narrowly exiting the Champions League at the qualifying stage to Lille, in controversial circumstances.

After getting back into action with a 2-1 Premier League win over Brentford on Saturday, Erik ten Hag's side will be looking to back it up with another three points, in the new European format, this week. 

HOW TO WATCH AND FOLLOW

The tie is being shown live on TNT Sports, and we'll be covering it live in the United App, with Sam Carney our man in Istanbul. This is a great way to track the action, with images and stats, plus exclusive pre-match and post-match content.

In addition, our Match Day Live show will commence at 18:55 BST, with live radio commentary available to listen to throughout the 90 minutes.

TEAM NEWS

Bruno Fernandes is suspended after receiving a red card in the dramatic 3-3 draw with Porto, in his homeland.

There are issues to contend with in midfield but an update from the manager is expected in his pre-match press conference on Wednesday with, hopefully, some positive news. Casemiro did leave the field against Brentford, while Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo were sidelined.

Although there are also defensive absentees, Noussair Mazraoui came off the bench in the weekend win to prove his fitness.

Fenerbahce lost defender Jayden Oosterwolde to injury during Sunday's 2-2 draw with Samsunspor.

We await Mourinho's briefing as well but Bright Osayi-Samuel and Caglar Soyuncu could also be out. Ex-Reds Sofyan Amrabat and Fred should be available.

THE OPPOSITION

This will be the seventh time United have faced Fenerbahce in a competitive fixture and it's all square on three wins apiece.

The Turkish side famously inflicted our first-ever defeat on home soil in Europe in 1996, with an Elvir Bolic winner. This came after a 2-0 victory for the Reds in Istanbul, thanks to second-half goals from David Beckham and Eric Cantona.

After the 6-2 win over Fener in Wayne Rooney's memorable hat-trick debut in 2004, Sir Alex Ferguson's men suffered a 3-0 defeat in the reverse fixture. Tuncay bagged a treble of his own, against a much-changed Reds side with qualification already assured.

Those games were in the Champions League, while our Europa League history with the Istanbul outfit also featured a win and a loss. Robin van Persie was applauded for scoring against us, when bagging a consolation in a 4-1 beating at Old Trafford, Paul Pogba scoring twice for Mourinho's team, before a 2-1 reverse at Sukru Saracoglu, despite Rooney's late strike.

WHO ELSE IS PLAYING?

Matchday three of the new format throws up some interesting ties across the continent.

WEDNESDAY 23 OCTOBER

15:30 BST kick-offs
Galatasaray v Elfsborg
Braga v Bodo/Glimt

THURSDAY 24 OCTOBER

17:45 BST kick-offs
Eintracht Frankfurt v RFS
Midtjylland v Union St. Gilloise
Ferencvaros v Nice
Maccabi Tel Aviv v Real Sociedad
PAOK v Viktoria Plzen
Qarabag v Ajax
Roma v Dynamo Kyiv

20:00 BST kick-offs
Anderlecht v Ludogorets
Athletic Club v Slavia Prague
FC Porto v Hoffenheim
FC Twente v Lazio
Fenerbahce v UNITED
Lyon v Besiktas
Malmo v Olympiacos
Rangers v FCSB
Tottenham v AZ Alkmaar

Take a look at the European trainingwear on sale at the United Store.