Anderlecht vs. Manchester United: Live-Stream, TV Info for Europa League 2017

Manchester United face a crucial clash with Anderlecht on Thursday, as they travel to Brussels for the opening leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final tie.

The Red Devils are favourites to go all the way in Europe's second-tier competition this season, and it could well be a necessity come the end of 2016-17 if the Mancunian giants are to qualify for next term's UEFA Champions League—they are struggling to break into the Premier League's top four.

Jose Mourinho's men are heavy favourites to oust Anderlecht because of the vastly superior quality in their squad, and United will be eager to get their noses in front in the first leg at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium.

Read on for a preview of the clash, along with scheduling and viewing details.

Date: Thursday, April 13

Time: 8:05 p.m. BST/3:05 p.m. ET

TV Info: Live on BT Sport 2 (UK) and FS1 (U.S.)

Live Stream: BT Sport website, Fox Sports Go

Preview

United last faced Anderlecht in the first group stage of the 2000-01 Champions League. In their home clash against the Belgian side, the Red Devils prevailed 5-1, but they lost the away fixture 2-1.

Mourinho will likely not be happy with a narrow defeat on Thursday. Even though a 2-1 loss would still leave United with every chance of advancing—an away goal will be crucial—they have too much quality to be satisfied with a defeat.

United go into Thursday's clash in decent form, having beaten Sunderland 3-0 on Sunday, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Marcus Rashford scoring the goals at the Stadium of Light.

Ibrahimovic has happy memories of facing Anderlecht, having netted five times against them for Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League back in 2013-14, per Opta:

The hosts are enjoying a fine run of form as well. Anderlecht's last result was a 0-0 draw against Gent on Sunday, but previous to that, they had won four games on the spin.

In a big boost for United, Antonio Valencia, one of the their players of the season, is set to be fit for Thursday's clash after missing their last two games, per the club's Twitter account:

According to the Daily Mail's Chris Wheeler, goalkeeper Sergio Romero is also set to start.

United should not underestimate Anderlecht. The Belgians have downed some decent sides on their way to the last eight of the Europa League this season, including APOEL FC and Zenit Saint Petersburg.

However, given that Mourinho could field the likes of Ibrahimovic, Mkhitaryan, Paul Pogba and Michael Carrick for Thursday's clash, United will have no excuses if they fail to take a lead back to Old Trafford.