Manchester United vs. Fenerbahce: Team News, Preview, Live Stream and TV Info

Manchester United could go top of their UEFA Europa League group on Thursday when they host Fenerbahce at Old Trafford.

If the Red Devils beat the Turkish side, which could feature former United striker Robin van Persie, they could move into first in Group A provided they also better Feyenoord's result against Zorya Luhansk.

Read on for a preview and the latest team news ahead of the clash, but first here are the viewing details you need to catch the action:

Date: Thursday, Oct. 20

Time: 8:05 p.m. BST/3:05 p.m. ET

TV: BT Sport 2/BT Sport Showcase (UK), Fox Sports 1 USA/ESPN Deportes USA

Live Stream: BT Sport Player (UK), Fox Sports Go/WatchESPN (USA)

Team News

Per Mark Froggatt for United's official website, the Red Devils came through the international break unscathed with Luke Shaw—who came on as a substitute against Liverpool on Monday—and Henrikh Mkhitaryan back to fitness.

However, Froggatt also reported Anthony Martial and Morgan Schneiderlin are doubts for the game after suffering injuries in training on Saturday.

With Chelsea looming on Sunday, it's likely manager Jose Mourinho will opt for a much-changed side to the one that drew with the Reds at Anfield.

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Meanwhile, according to Sky Sports' Lyall Thomas, Van Persie could be fit to face his old team after featuring for Fenerbahce following his recovery from injury.

Predicted Manchester United Lineup: Sergio Romero; Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo; Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini, Henrikh Mkitaryan, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard; Wayne Rooney

Predicted Fenerbahce Lineup: Volkan Demirel; Gregory van der Wiel, Martin Skrtel, Simon Kjaer, Hasan Ali Kaldirim; Ozan Tufan, Mehmet Topal, Jeremain Lens, Emmanuel Emenike, Moussa Sow, Robin van Persie

Preview

While the Europa League may be far from a priority for United, it's a major trophy they have a strong chance of winning if they take it seriously, with the added bonus of UEFA Champions League qualification on the off chance they fail to make the top four.

Equally, exiting at the group stage would not be a disaster—United's true ambitions lie in winning the Premier League title and a top four-place is well within their grasp even if they don't top the table.

However, it would be somewhat humiliating—even if Fenerbahce and Feyenoord are among the most tricky sides they could have drawn. After losing to the Dutch side in their opening game, they have an even greater need to win their home matches.

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On Thursday, they'll face a Fenerbahce side unbeaten in their last five but struggling in their domestic league, with just two wins in their last seven games leaving them in ninth place.

Manager Dick Advocaat is already under pressure and a win at Old Trafford would undoubtedly relieve some of it. The Dutchman was unhappy with his side on Sunday when they were held to a draw by 10-man Alanyaspor, per Thomas:

"

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.

Strikers must score goals. They want to score but they did not. You have to ask, why not?

If you want to play for the championship you need more. And I don't just mean Van Persie, I mean the total team.

"

Van Persie will no doubt be eager to face his old side, but with Fenerbahce struggling United should be able to take advantage.

Wayne Rooney has been dropped to the bench in recent times and was once again against Liverpool on Monday:

Unless Mourinho plans to use him in a starting role against Chelsea, it seems likely he'll be restored to the lineup for Thursday. He has history with the Turkish outfit, per the Europa League's official Twitter account:

The forward will have much to prove—particularly if he wants to be involved on Sunday or the midweek EFL Cup match with Manchester City the following Wednesday—so his performance will be worth watching.

Even if his poor form continues, United should have enough quality elsewhere to see out the win.