Manchester United will be looking for their first win in this season’s Europa League on Thursday night, as they take on Ukrainian side FC Zorya Luhansk at Old Trafford. Without a doubt, United will be clear favourites in this game, and should expect to win. Yet a look at Zorya’s brief record in Europe to date tells us that United’s players will have to treat their opponents with respect, or run the risk of another disappointing defeat.
Zorya Luhansk
Zorya Luhansk were formed, in their current incarnation, in 1964, having previously been known as Zorya Viroshilovgrad, a factory club formed in 1923. They became Zorya Luhansk after the Football Federation of the Soviet Union decided to merge the factory club with the Luhansk branch of the Trudovye Rezervy (translated in English as Labour reserves), a voluntary sports society of mainly students.
Since 1964 Zorya have won few trophies, including last season’s Ukrainian Cup. They have won a top flight championship only once, the Soviet Top League in 1972. In Ukrainian competition, their highest top flight finish is the consecutive 4th place finishes in 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons. Indeed, this current Zorya side represent the most successful period in the club’s history.
In Europe, Zorya reached the second round of the European Cup in the 1973-74 season. It was their only appearance in the competition, and further European football eluded the club until 2014. Since then they have qualified for the Europa League in the last three seasons. However, it is only this season that they have reached the group stages.
What will give Manchester United slight cause for concern is Zorya’s away record. In their seven away games in Europe to date, Zorya have won four, drawn once, and lost twice. They have failed to score on the road only once, way back in that 1973-74 European Cup campaign.
In contrast to United’s away defeat at Feyenoord, Zorya had a fairly positive start, a 1-1 draw at home to Turkish giants Fenerbahce, demonstrating they are not prepared to be the group whipping boys. It is a result that gives them confidence going forward, and something to build on.
Manchester United
United have to win if they are to have real ambitions of progressing in the competition. Although Zorya should be treated with respect, the reality is that this is United’s easiest game on paper. After that defeat in Rotterdam—which was arguably United’s hardest game on paper—the team will be looking to bounce back in the same manner as they did in the 4-1 win over Premier League champions Leicester City last weekend.
The win over Leicester, and Northampton before that, was a huge positive after a run of three straight defeats. The first half performance, in particular, was an encouraging sign, and easily the team’s best performance of the season.
After much tinkering with his team, José Mourinho may be finally finding the right balance, as well as finding a way to get the best out of Paul Pogba. Ander Herrera, alongside Pogba in midfield, was superb in the game, and his chances of becoming a regular starter would have improved vastly after such a convincing display.
Another positive for United in the run up to Thursday’s game is the fact that they are unbeaten in their last six matches against Ukrainian teams, winning the last three, in which they have not conceded a goal.
United are also unbeaten in 11 European home games, a run that stretches back to the 2-1 defeat at the hands of Real Madrid in the last 16 of the 2012-13 Champions League; Sir Alex Ferguson’s last European game. However, they have won only once in their last six Europa League games at Old Trafford, winning one, drawing three, and two. It is this sequence that United will be looking to end.
In truth, nothing but a win will be suffice here, and a defeat will be seen as a disaster. Pressure on the manager and his players will intensify, something that the club definitely do not need after last season. If the players perform to their capabilities, then United will get the win, and get their Europa League campaign back on track.
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