Manchester United opened their Europa League Group A campaign with a trip to Feyenoord on Thursday night.
Both sides had half-chances in the opening 45 minutes, but neither could make the breakthrough.
It was the hosts that opened the scoring in the 79th minute when Tonny Vilhena converted from inside the box and that proved to be the difference between the two teams on the night.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
5.01pmAfternoon/early evening all! Sports Mole's live Europa League coverage for the 2016-17 campaign continues from Rotterdam as Dutch giants Feyenoord welcome Manchester United in Group A. The visitors will be keen to get off to a strong start tonight, but Feyenoord have made a very impressive start to the new season and will fancy their chances of an upset. Should be a cracking game of football!
5.04pmTonight will be just the third time that Feyenoord and Man United have clashed in European competition. Both of their previous fixtures came in the group stage of the 1997-98 Champions League, when Man United recorded a 2-1 victory at home before winning 3-1 in this stadium courtesy of a treble from a certain Andy Cole. Cole does not play tonight, but Marcus Rashford does.
5.07pmRight, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from this Europa League clash. Man United boss Jose Mourinho was expected to make sweeping changes following the Manchester derby. Has that occurred? Let's have a look at the two XIs for tonight's match...
5.10pmTEAMS!
FEYENOORD: Jones; Karsdorp, Botteghin, Van der Heijden, Kongolo; El Ahmadi, Kuyt, Vilhena; Berghuis, Jorgensen, Toornstra
UNITED: De Gea; Darmian, Bailly, Smalling, Rojo; Schneiderlin, Herrera; Mata, Pogba, Martial; Rashford
5.13pmDirk Kuyt will skipper Feyenoord tonight, with the former Liverpool forward expected to start in the middle of the park. Another former Liverpool player, Brad Jones, starts for the Dutch side in goal, while Nicolai Jorgensen, who has netted three goals in five appearances this season, will lead the line. Elsewhere there are starts for Karim El Ahmadi and Jens Toornstra in what appears to be a 4-3-3 formation.
5.16pmAs for Man United, Jose Mourinho has made eight changes to the team that started the Manchester derby at the weekend. In come Matteo Darmian, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo, Morgan Schneiderlin, Ander Herrera, Juan Mata, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, but David de Gea, Eric Bailly and Paul Pogba keep their spots in the team. Wayne Rooney, as we found out yesterday, has been rested.
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5.19pmIt will be interesting to see just how Man United line up this afternoon. The club's official television channel - MUTV - have the formation down as 4-3-3, with Mata and Martial operating either side of Rashford. However, there are mutterings that Pogba could be played in the number 10 role tonight. More straightforward at the back as Darmian, Smalling, Bailly and Rojo make up the four-man defence.
5.22pmSo there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this warm early evening in Rotterdam. I shall speak about Feyenoord a little bit later, but let's start with Man United, who will be looking to bounce back from their 2-1 defeat to bitter rivals Manchester City in the Premier League at the weekend, which was Mourinho's first loss since taking charge.
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5.25pmThe Red Devils already have a trophy to their name this season after beating Premier League champions Leicester City in the Community Shield at the start of last month, while they beat Bournemouth, Southampton and Hull City in their first three league matches. That winning run ended against Man City on Saturday, but Mourinho will be keen to make a strong start to Group A in the Europa League.
5.28pmIn 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.
5.32pmIndeed, last season they lost to rivals Liverpool in the second knockout round after embarrassingly failing to qualify from their Champions League group. While this competition is not a priority, a run will allow Mourinho the chance to hand valuable minutes to his fringe players and they will certainly be expected to qualify from a group that also includes Fenerbahce and Ukrainian side Zorya.
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5.35pmExcluding qualifiers, Man United have actually lost six of their last seven European away games, failing to win in the process. Indeed, they have lost each of their last three on the road and defeat tonight would see them suffer a fourth straight European away loss for the first time in their history. Incredible!
5.38pmIn terms of what is ahead for Man United, they will return to Premier League action on Sunday with a trip to Watford, before travelling to Northampton Town in the League Cup on September 21. Then comes a home game with Leicester City in the league, before the month ends with their second Europa League match at home to little-known Ukrainian side Zorya. Busy times ahead for the Red Devils.
5.42pmFeyenoord, meanwhile, will enter this match off the back of five successive league wins at the start of the new Eredivisie campaign. They put five past Groningen on the opening weekend and have since beaten Twente, Heracles, Excelsior and ADO Den Haag to top the table after five matches.
5.45pmWarm night in Rotterdam!
Zomerse temperaturen in De Kuip, waar Feyenoord elk moment kan beginnen aan de warming-up. #UEL #FEYMUFC pic.twitter.com/X7jGxBSFF4
— Feyenoord Rotterdam (@Feyenoord) September 15, 2016
5.48pmThe Dutch outfit have not actually won their domestic title since the 1998-99 season and finished third behind PSV Eindhoven and Ajax last term. Third spot was enough to directly qualify for the Europa League, however, and they will fancy their chances of rivaling Fenerbahce and Man United for a spot in the knockout round of the competition. That is with the biggest respect to Zorya.
5.51pmFeyenoord last featured in the Europa League during the 2014-15 season, when they reached the round of 32 before losing to Roma. They have actually won the UEFA Cup on two previous occasions, however, lifting the crown in both 1974 (when they beat Tottenham Hotspur) and 2002.
5.54pmThat said, the Dutch club have only won one of their last seven meetings with English opposition – losing five times in the process. On home soil, they have only won three of their 10 fixtures against sides from England and as mentioned, lost 3-1 to Man United in Rotterdam during the 1997-98 campaign.
5.57pmThat said, Man United lost 2-1 away to Dutch side PSV Eindhoven on matchday one of the Champions League last season and have only won half of their 14 games against teams from the Netherlands. The visitors will enter tonight's match as the favourites, but Feyenoord will also be confident.
Jose Mourinho makes eight changes from Saturday's team, with @ChrisSmalling captaining the side. #MUFC #UEL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 15, 2016
5.59pmRight then, the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium, despite the restrictions due to crowd trouble. It has all the makings of a very entertaining game of football from Rotterdam!
0 minKICKOFF! Feyenoord kick things off in Rotterdam...
2 min... it must be said that the surface is absolutely beautiful in this stadium. This is not grass, it is a carpet. As expected, it has been pretty lively in the early moments as both teams battle for possession of the ball. Pogba seems to be operating in a three-man midfield, slightly to the left.
4 minPSV have looked long to their big centre-forward Jorgensen in the early exchanges, but Bailly and Smalling have been equal to the threat thus far. Mourinho is already making some notes, meanwhile, which might well come up at the interval. Nice, open game of football with four minutes played.
5 minNice football between Rashford and Mata and the latter looks to deliver into Martial, but Jones is on hand to collect. Down the other end, Bailly wins a brilliant header against the tall striker Jorgensen.
7 minPogba drives down the left before finding Rashford, who looks to set the ball back to Herrera, but Kuyt is on hand to make the challenge and the home side can clear their lines once again. Just a few signs that Man United are getting to grips with the possession here as they pass and probe.
9 minWe have not seen too much from the home side as an attacking threat in the opening nine minutes, with Man United enjoying most of the ball so far. You sense that Rashford could be the match-winner tonight because the hosts do not look comfortable with his pace. Strong start from the 18-year-old.
10 minDangerous moment for Man United as Kuyt works the ball into Toornstra, who has plenty of space, but Darmian is across to make the challenge. Not sure about the right-back's positioning there!
11 minSAVE! De Gea has to get down low to keep out a long-range Berghuis strike.
13 minVery good spell for the home side in the last couple of minutes as they continue to work the ball into wide positions. Bailly has to come out and clear ahead of Kongolo and he stays on the deck.
14 minBailly is still down and does not look at all comfortable here. Fosu-Mensah warms-up.
15 minBailly returns to the field, but he is still limping and it will be interesting to see whether the centre-back can run this injury off. Man United are very deep at the moment as the home side dominate.
16 minMan United have a free kick in a dangerous area as El Ahmadi brings Herrera to the deck...
17 min... SAVE! Jones shuffles across to keep out the free kick from Pogba.
19 minSo, 19 minutes on the clock and it has been very even thus far tonight. Feyenoord have had some dangerous moments in the final third, while Man United look threatening when Rashford and Martial have the space to turn and run at the home side's defence. Still goalless, but plenty happening here.
21 minHalf-chance for the home side as Berghuis rises at the far post to meet a cross from Kuyt, but the number 19 had just fouled Rojo and the referee was on hand to award Man United a free kick. The away side come back with a period of possession as they build down the right with Darmian.
23 minRashford has the chance to burst away from the home side's defence, but Kongolo is on hand to make a smart challenge. There is a concern over Mata, who hits the deck and grimaces, but the Spaniard does rise to his feet and play continues. Still goalless with 23 minutes on the clock here.
23 minBOOKING! Van der Heijden (Feyenoord) is booked for a late tackle on Mata.
24 minCHANCE! Wonderful chance for Man United as Rashford finds Darmian, who sets up Martial just outside the box, but his effort is just wide of the post. Should have been 1-0 there!
26 minJust a few signs that Man United are starting to take control of this match as they continue to find space in the final third, but the home side are a threat when they move the ball into wide areas.
29 minQuite an untidy game in the last few minutes as the referee is forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. Man United work another half-chance as Mata slides in Martial, but the ball just runs away from the Frenchman and Jones can clear down-field. Still goalless in Rotterdam.
31 minRashford hits the deck once again, but no yellow card from the referee, which surprises the England forward. The teenager looks the player most likely to make something happen tonight.
33 minNo flow to the game at the moment as the referee continues to blow his whistle. Too many free kicks and the supporters let the official know all about it. Not too much to report on the game!
36 minMan United continue to move the ball in the final third of the field, but they are not really threatening to make the breakthrough at the moment and the same can be said for the home side, who are lacking that cutting edge in the final third. Little under 10 minutes of the first period left.
38 minGood football from the home side in the last few minutes as Kuyt being to pick up the ball in dangerous positions. The experienced midfielder slides in Berghuis and Rojo has to come across to clear the corner. Smalling is up very high to clear the set piece though before Darmian finishes the job.
40 minCHANCE! Kongolo plays a super pass into Toornstra as the home side have an excellent chance to make the breakthrough, but the attacker's effort is well wide of the post!
43 minPossession football from Man United in the last few minutes, but they are not really going anywhere with it at the moment and Rashford is frustrated once again due to the lack of support in the final third.
45 minKongolo continues to find space down the left for the home side and the full-back has delivered some telling crosses, but Feyenoord have thus far been unable to make the breakthrough here.
45 min+1Half-chance for the away side as Rashford heads a Darmian cross towards the bottom corner and it almost falls for Mata, but the ball bounces wide of the post and we enter one minute of added time.
45 min+2HALF-TIME: Feyenoord 0-0 Man United
6.48pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. Both have had half-chances to make the breakthrough in Rotterdam, but in truth, neither has done enough to deserve the lead. All in all, it has actually been a pretty disappointing opening 45 minutes here.
6.53pmSTATISTICS! Feyenoord have shaded the possession with 58%, while they have had four attempts - two of which were on target. Man United, meanwhile, hit the target with one of their three attempts. The better opportunities have fallen to the hosts, but it has been a pretty even first half of action.
6.58pmBENCH WATCH! Man United boss Mourinho has a whole host of attacking options on his bench tonight, with the likes of Memphis, Ibrahimovic, Young and Fellaini all available for the visiting team in Rotterdam. Feyenoord, meanwhile, have the likes of Kramer, Tapia and Woudenberg in reserve.
7.03pm
HT: Feyenoord 0 #MUFC 0. A tight first half in the Netherlands, with Martial going closest for United. #UEL pic.twitter.com/PcNkm7jW06
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 15, 2016
46 minRESTART! Man United resume the action here...
47 min... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. Herrera strikes one from distance as Man United start on the front foot, but his effort was always wide of the post.
49 minIt has already been more positive from Man United as they work the ball into a wide position with Pogba, who finds Martial, but Karsdorp is across to close the space. Feyenoord attempt to break with Kuyt, who manages to feed a ball down the right wing, but Rojo is back to make the challenge.
51 minPogba decides to have a go from distance, but his long-range strike was always too high.
53 minA point would not be the worst result for Man United tonight, but you sense that they have more than enough to win this match against a Feyenoord team that might tire as play progresses. Kuyt has been impressive thus far, but I am not too sure that the Dutchman has 90 minutes in the tank.
55 minPogba is seeing much more of the ball at the moment as the Frenchman uses those long legs to drive forward before feeding a pass into Rashford, but the striker is hacked to the ground.
57 minFeyenoord look to break and it is Vilhena that feeds a pass through to Jorgensen, but the number nine never had the pace to move away from Smalling, who has been nice and solid at the back. Little over 30 minutes of this Group A clash remaining and we are still locked at 0-0 tonight.
57 minEl Ahmadi strikes one from distance and it is well wide of De Gea's post.
59 minMy word the pace of this game is slow at the moment. Man United look capable of causing all sorts of problems when they press high up the field, but Feyenoord are being allowed time and space here.
61 minMan United continue to look the team more likely to make the breakthrough as Mata delivers a dangerous corner towards Smalling, but the centre-back cannot make contact and Kongolo is on hand to make the clearance. Mourinho has just sent Memphis and Ibrahimovic to warm-up here.
61 minVilhena drags a low shot wide of the post after Rojo was caught on the ball once again. The Argentine has really struggled to perform tonight in his first appearance of the new season.
63 minSuper feet from Pogba, who finds some space in the Feyenoord half before having a go, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Man United are preparing to make a triple change here.
64 minMAN UNITED SUBS! Ibrahimovic, Memphis and Young replace Martial, Rashford and Mata. Mourinho is not messing about as he makes a triple change just past the hour tonight.
66 minIt is all Man United at the moment as they continue to move the ball in the final third of the field. A half-chance arrives when Young delivers into Ibrahimovic, but the striker had fouled Botteghin.
68 minYou just get the feeling that there is a goal in this match as Man United continue to dominate the ball, while Feyenoord threaten when they have the chance to counter-attack. It is the type of match that could produce one goal and it might well be the winner. The hosts are preparing a change.
69 minFEYENOORD SUB! Bilal replaces Berghuis for the home side.
71 minPogba loses possession in the middle of the park and Kuyt looks to release Bilal in a wide position, but the pass is just too strong and Man United have a throw down the left. Still goalless tonight.
73 minJorgensen turns away from Smalling on the edge of the Man United box before striking towards goal, but Bailly is on hand to make the block and the chance is gone for Feyenoord, who have started to offer an attacking threat in the last few minutes. Little over 15 minutes left here.
75 minMemphis works the ball into Darmian and the right-back delivers towards Ibrahimovic, but Feyenoord defend it once again. Down the other end, Bilal decides to try his luck from the edge of the box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. The pace has been lifted here.
75 minHalf-chance for Ibrahimovic, but he heads a Young free kick wide of the post.
77 minGood football from Man United as they work the ball to the edge of the Feyenoord box, but Memphis's strike is blocked and the home side can clear their lines. The pressure is growing here as Pogba continues to pick up the ball in the final third. Still fancy a late winner in this one.
79 minGOAL! Feyenoord 1-0 Man United (Vilhena)
80 minFeyenoord make the breakthrough in the 79th minute of this match as Jorgensen breaks down the right for the home side before delivering into Vilhena, who finds the bottom corner from close range.
82 minRojo wants a penalty after going down inside the Feyenoord box, but Jones got hands to the ball and it was a fair challenge from the former Liverpool goalkeeper. Man United need to respond.
83 minMemphis has a powerful strike blocked for a corner as Man United come again.
85 minYoung looks to find Ibrahimovic with a cross from the right, but it is too strong and Feyenoord have a throw as time ticks on here. What a result this would be for the league leaders in Holland.
87 minSmalling is upfront for Man United now as the away side search for a late equaliser. It falls for Young after a period of pinball inside the home side's box, but his effort was always moving wide.
89 minMan United continue to pump balls into the home side's box, but they just cannot find a way through. Pogba goes down in a dangerous position outside the box, but the referee shakes his head.
90 min+1We are into the first of three additional minutes here.
90 min+1FEYENOORD SUB! Nieukwoop replaces Karsdorp for the hosts.
90 min+2SAVE! Jones gets down to keep out Ibrahimovic's powerful free kick.
90 min+3Desperate defending for the home side as Ibrahimovic has one blocked. Corner Man United...
90 min+4... De Gea is forward!
90 min+4Bailly gets up to meet the corner, but his effort is wide.
90 min+4FULL-TIME: Feyenoord 1-0 Man United
7.54pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Man United suffering defeat in Rotterdam. That is just about it from me tonight, but be sure to stick around the site for all of tonight's Europa League action. Back-to-back defeats for Mourinho's men. Response needed!
