Evening all! Sports Mole's live Europa League coverage continues from Old Trafford as Manchester United welcome Ukrainian minnows Zorya Luhansk in Group A. Man United will actually enter this match bottom of the group after losing 1-0 at Feyenoord last time out, while Zorya opened with a 1-1 draw against Fenerbahce. Man United should win tonight, but football is rarely that straightforward!

Unsurprisingly, tonight will be the first ever meeting between these two teams in all competitions and indeed it is Zorya's maiden clash with English opposition. Man United have faced Ukrainian opposition – Dynamo Kiev and Shakhtar Donetsk - on six occasions in European competition and are unbeaten, recording four wins in the process and indeed have won all three at Old Trafford.

Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Old Trafford. Has Jose Mourinho shuffled his pack? Is Wayne Rooney back in the selection? Have I made the bench? All the questions answered as we run through the two XIs for this Europa League contest...

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TEAMS!

MAN UNITED: Romero; Fosu-Mensah, Bailly, Smalling, Rojo; Fellaini, Pogba; Lingard, Mata, Rashford; Ibrahimovic

ZORYA: Shevchenko; Kamenyuka, Sivakov, Forster, Sobol; Karavaev, Grechyshkin, Chaykovskiy, Petriak; Ljubenovic; Kulach

No Wayne Rooney in the Man United XI tonight! The skipper was expected to return to the team after being left out of Saturday's clash with Leicester City, but the 30-year-old is once again on the bench. In total, there are four changes from the 4-1 success over Leicester as Sergio Romero, Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Marcos Rojo and Marouane Fellaini replace Antonio Valencia, Daley Blind, David de Gea and Ander Herrera. Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcus Rashford both start in the final third.

As for Zorya, experienced defender Mykyta Kamenyuka will captain the Ukrainian side from right-back once again. Eduard Sobol returns to the team after starting their league match with Vorskla at the weekend on the bench, while Vladyslav Kulach will start as the lone forward in what appears to be a 4-4-1-1 formation. Zorya's leading scorer this season is their number 20 Olexandr Karavaev, who is on loan from Shakhtar Donetsk. A mixture of youth and experience for the visitors tonight.

So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 45 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in Manchester. I shall talk about the visitors a little bit later, but let's start with Man United, who will enter this match off the back of a 4-1 win over Leicester City at the weekend. There is no question that it was their best performance of the season and indeed very important!

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In all honestly, this competition is not a priority for Man United this season. Unsurprisingly, it is actually the club's first ever appearance in the group stage of the Europa League. They have appeared in this competition on two previous occasions – reaching the round of 16 - but both of those campaigns came after elimination from the group stage of the Champions League.

Indeed, last season they lost to rivals Liverpool in the second knockout round after embarrassingly failing to qualify from their Champions League group. Man United were expected to open their Group A campaign with a win at Feyenoord, but they were beaten 1-0 and as a result, are already playing catch-up in the group. Tonight is not quite must-win, but it is not too far from it to be honest.

Man United are actually unbeaten in their last 11 European games on home soil – recording eight wins in the process. It is a run of form that stretches back to March 2013, when they lost to Real Madrid in the Champions League round of 16. The Premier League will take priority for Mourinho this season – despite his strong selection tonight – but Man United have never won the Europa League and it does offer direct qualification into the Champions League for the 2017-18 campaign.

Man United started the 2016-17 season with three straight Premier League wins and indeed success over Leicester City in the Community Shield, but they lost 2-1 at home to Manchester City on September 10, before suffering defeat at Feyenoord. Two straight defeats became three in all competitions when they were beaten 3-1 at Watford on September 18, which led to early pressure on Mourinho.

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The Red Devils will enter this match off the back of successive wins, however, having booked their spot in the fourth round of the League Cup with a 3-1 win at League One Northampton Town before beating Leicester in the league at the weekend. They will be looking to make it three straight wins tonight and four when they host struggling Stoke City in the league at the weekend.

Mourinho's side will then travel to Liverpool in their first game after the international break on October 17, before hosting Fenerbahce in their third Europa League match on October 20. Then comes a trip to Chelsea at the weekend, before hosting Manchester City in the fourth round of the League Cup on October 26. A very busy month ends with a home league game against Burnley on October 29.

Marcus makes his 26th #MUFC appearance this evening. He's scored in each of his last three. #UEL pic.twitter.com/gVqGbWWxXl — Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 29, 2016

As for Zorya, this is the club's maiden UEFA group-stage campaign. Yuriy Vernydub's side secured direct qualification to the group stages of the Europa League after finishing fourth in the Ukrainian top flight last season. They were a massive 22 points off the champions Dynamo Kiev, but only lost six of their 26 matches to finish directly below Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk in the table.

It did appear that Zorya would overcome Fenerbahce in their Group A opener earlier this month after leading 1-0 past the 90-minute mark, but Simon Kjaer equalised in the sixth minute of stoppage time as it finished 1-1 in Ukraine. Nonetheless, it was a very positive start against a very experienced team and they have shown that they can compete at this level of football.

Zorya have also made a very positive start to their league campaign – winning six of their nine matches to sit second in the table on 20 points. They are one point ahead of the champions Dynamo Kiev and five points behind the leaders Shakhtar Donetsk, who were the runners-up last season.

Incredibly, Zorya have actually scored in 10 of their last 11 European games – netting 20 times in the process. They are the big underdogs in this group, but they are almost in a no-lose situation. Tonight, Man United will be expected to win and win comfortably and that means that there is just no pressure on the visitors. Can you imagine if they were to win tonight? Stranger things have happened!

2 - Jose Mourinho hasn't lost two successive European games since April 2013, when he was coach of Real Madrid. Resolve. pic.twitter.com/BU8vu0XUBP — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 29, 2016

Man United might have a big game at home to Stoke in the Premier League this weekend, but Zorya will also have other things on their mind as they prepare to travel to Shakhtar in the league on Sunday afternoon. The last thing that they need tonight is to suffer a heavy defeat, which could well harm confidence ahead of the Shakhtar clash. Right, kickoff is just around the corner at Old Trafford!

KICKOFF! Man United kick things off on home soil...

... far from a full house inside the stadium tonight, which is not too much of a surprise. They were still trying to shift tickets for this match this afternoon. As expected, the home side have taken control of the possession in the early moments as they look to put down a marker on home soil.

Zorya have not managed to get out of their own half in the opening four minutes of this match as the home side continue to pass and probe. Man United are going to have all of the ball tonight.

Half-chance for the away side as Petryak sets up Ljubenovic on the edge of the Man United box, but his effort was always too high. First sign of a threat from the Ukrainian team in this match.

Man United are dominating possession at the moment, but the visitors have already shown that they are prepared to commit players forward on the counter-attack. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be crucial. Zorya will want to settle in the opening 15, 20 minutes.

Half-chance for Man United this time, but Fellaini heads Mata's corner over the crossbar.

Pass, pass, pass from Man United as they look to make space in the final third. However, in fairness to the visitors, they are maintaining a very tight shape at the back. Lingard makes a clever run before attempting to collect a pass from Ibrahimovic, but Chaykovsky hits the deck and stays there.

Another half-chance for the visitors as Karavaev delivers a dangerous cross towards Kulach, but Smalling is on hand to make the clearance. Zorya have shown their ability to threaten on the counter-attack on a couple of occasions inside the opening 14 minutes. Smalling needed to act there.

Man United are taking too long in possession of the ball at the moment, which is allowing the visitors the chance to sit deep and counter when they have the chance. Indeed, Zorya force their first corner of the match when Petryak's cross is deflected off Fosu-Mensah. Zorya fancy this!

Quick counter-attack for the home side this time, but Lingard's cross does not find Rashford and Kamenyuka is on hand to clear behind. End-to-end football, but still goalless after 17 minutes.

CLOSE! Ibrahimovic decides to have a go from the edge of the box and his effort is deflected over the Zorya crossbar. That brings a huge chorus of 'United, United' from the home fans!

CROSSBAR! Oh my word! Wonderful strike from Rashford on the half-volley, but his effort from inside the box smashes against the crossbar. Looked for all of the world that would be 1-0!

You just get the feeling that Zorya need to score the first goal tonight if they have ambitions of securing a positive result. Man United could well enjoy themselves if they score a couple of goals in the first period. Still goalless with 22 minutes played, but the pressure is starting to build here.

Lingard continues to cause problems as the Englishman hangs around the Zorya defence, but the quality into the winger has not been the best in the opening 25 minutes. Zorya have also managed to ease some of the pressure by winning a couple of free kicks inside Man United's half of the field.

The away side have the chance to threaten from a free kick inside the Man United half, but the delivery is poor and Rashford is on hand to head clear. Still no goals in this Group A match.

Mata looks to pick out the run of Pogba with a pass from deep, but the away side's goalkeeper was quick off his line to collect. Man United continue to pass and probe in the final third of the field, but they are finding it difficult to move this Zorya defence, which is just sitting in and defending here.

Man United have a free kick in a very dangerous position as Ibrahimovic is felled...

... Ibrahimovic fires straight into the wall.

Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining and Zorya continue to defend deep, which is a tactic that has paid dividends thus far. The away side are struggling to threaten on the counter-attack at the moment, but Man United have hardly created anything in the final third of the field.

The home supporters are doing their best to raise their team, but the performance just has not been there in the opening 36 minutes. Martial and Rooney are both among the subs tonight.

Zorya have only conceded seven times in their nine league games this season and watching tonight's match, that is not much of a surprise. The visitors will have impressed a lot of people with their performance in the opening 38 minutes of this match. Man United are really struggling here.

CHANCE! Super chance for the home side to take the lead as Pogba delivers an inch-perfect cross onto the head of Mata, but his effort is over the crossbar. Should have scored.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Lingard this time as Rojo finds the head of his teammate with a super cross, but Forster is on hand to make a brilliant block! Goal-saving block!

CLOSE! Fellaini's header hits the ground and bounces just over the crossbar!

Rashford skips inside his full-back before attempting to release a strike, but Kamenyuka is on hand to make a fine block as Man United continue to put the pressure on late in the first period here.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two teams heading down the tunnel at 0-0. Man United were expected to run through Zorya tonight, but that has just not been the case. The hosts have dominated the ball, but struggled to create opportunities here.

BENCH WATCH! Mourinho will surely look to his bench if the score remains 0-0 and the Portuguese has the likes of Carrick, Memphis, Rooney, Martial and Young available for selection. As for Zorya, head coach Vernydub has forward options in the shape of Paulinho, Lipartia and Checher tonight.

HT: United 0 Zorya 0. Rashford's hit the bar and we've ramped up the pressure but no breakthrough yet... #MUFC #UEL pic.twitter.com/oPvWrLPrRE

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 29, 2016

RESTART! Zorya resume the action at Old Trafford...

... no changes from either side at the interval, which is not too much of a surprise. However, you suspect that both managers will already have alterations in mind for the second 45 minutes here.

Zorya waste a very good opportunity to threaten as Petryak reverses a pass into Kulach, who was in an offside position. A lazy pass from Pogba presented the visitors with the chance to break there.

Old Trafford is very flat tonight and that is a reflection of the football on display. Man United are in control of the possession, but they have really struggled to create clear opportunities against Zorya.

CHANCE! Super chance for the away side to register as Ljubenovic throws himself at a cross from the right, but the number 22 cannot make contact. Should have scored there!

Fellaini is very fortunate to escape a booking for pulling Petryak to the deck here.

Half-chance for Fellaini this time as the Belgian takes a touch into the away side's box before having a strike, but Forster is on hand to make the block. Almost looked to be in slow motion!

Still no bookings in this match, but we must be getting close as late challenges continue to occur all over the park. Still goalless with 56 minutes on the clock and in truth, little is happening. Rooney has been sent to warm-up and it would be some story if he came on to get the winner tonight.

Zorya are preparing to make their first change of this match, but no movement on the Man United bench, which is a surprise at this stage of events. Mourinho really needs to freshen things here.

ZORYA SUB! Paulinho replaces Kulach for the away side.

Fosu-Mensah twice delivers crosses from the right, but it is very comfortable for Shevchenko, who can collect and release down-field. Finally some movement on the home side's bench here.

Pogba nearly releases Rashford behind the away side's defence, but nearly has been the main word for Man United tonight. They have been unable to produce that final piece of quality against Zorya.

BOOKING! Bailly (Man United) is booked for a high boot.

Fellaini gives away a free kick in a very dangerous position after handling...

... cracking header from Ibrahimovic as Man United clear their lines.

SAVE! Romero has to fly across his goal to keep out a strike from Paulinho.

MAN UNITED SUB! Rooney replaces Lingard.

Finally! Man United make the breakthrough in the 69th minute as Ibrahimovic heads home from close range after Rooney's shot had bounced towards the Swede, who leapt to head home!

Still around 20 minutes of football to play tonight and Man United are looking to press home their advantage now as they pass and probe with more pace and movement. Martial is preparing to enter the field for the home side and I can quite easily see one or two more goals late in this game.

MAN UNITED SUBS! Martial and Young replace Mata and Fosu-Mensah.

All Man United at the moment as they continue to pass and probe in the final third of the field, but Zorya still have plenty of pace in their front-line and all it takes is one quick counter-attack to level.

ZORYA SUB! Lipartia replaces Ljubenovic for the away side.

Lipartia strikes a free kick from distance, but his effort was always high of Romero's goal.

ZORYA SUB! Gordienko replaces Chaykovsky for the away side.

Ibrahimovic has a header cleared off the line as Man United come close once again, but the flag had been raised for the ball crossing the line. Little over five minutes of football remaining and the home side are moving closer to all three points. It has been far from convincing though!

Ibrahimovic meets a deep cross from Rooney as the hosts have another half-chance, but the ball drops wide of the post for a corner, which Fellaini volleys over the crossbar. Decent effort there.

Dangerous moments for the home side as Zorya start to press their full-backs forward and deliver crosses into the box. It would be disastrous for Man United to concede at this stage of the match.

Man United have a free kick in a dangerous area as Rafael fells Martial...

... SAVE! Decent save from Shevchenko to keep out Ibrahimovic's set piece.

BOOKING! Kamenyuka (Zorya) is booked for kicking out at Rashford.

We are into the second of three additional minutes here.

Pogba sends a long-range strike wide of the post.

So there we have it. Ibrahimovic's header wins it for Man United as they move onto three points in Group A. That is just about it from me tonight. It was not pretty from the home side, but they have managed to get the job done. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action once again!