Manchester United do not want to be in the Europa League but Jose Mourinho intends to make the best out of the situation.
A three-year malaise set in after Sir Alex Ferguson brought his trophy-laden career to an end, with David Moyes and Louis van Gaal paying with their jobs after failing to reach the Champions League.
It means the three-time continental champions will this season ply their trade in the Europa League, getting their first ever group stage campaign under way on Thursday with a tough-looking trip to Eredivisie leaders Feyenoord.
Mourinho has played 125 Champions League and Super Cup fixtures since his last dalliance with the competition, when he led Porto to UEFA Cup glory against Celtic in 2003.
Manchester United determined to make the best of their Europa League campaign
