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Charlie Nicholas' Europa League predictions: Wayne Rooney to lead Man Utd win

Generic Charlie Nicholas image 10/08/2016
Image: Charlie Nicholas provides his Europa League thoughts

Charlie Nicholas provides us with his Europa League predictions as Manchester United and Southampton look to boost their qualification chances.

Both Premier League sides will be keen to improve on unconvincing performances in the second round of group matches, with Jose Mourinho's men labouring to a 1-0 win over Zorya Luhansk, while the Saints were held to a 0-0 draw by Hapoel Be'er Sheva.

Be'er Sheva and Southampton currently share top spot with four points in Group K, while United sit third behind Feyenoord - this week's visitors to Old Trafford - in Group A.

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 13: Virgil van Dijk of Southampton fouls Troy Deeney of Watford during the Premier League match between Southampton and Watfo
Image: Virgil van Dijk has earned the praise of Charlie Nicholas

Here's what Charlie, who correctly predicted Riyad Mahrez to score first in Leicester's 1-0 win on Tuesday, is going for in his latest set of predictions...

Inter Milan v Southampton

We know that this Inter Milan team aren't a great one, but it will still be a great experience for Southampton to play at the San Siro.

Charlie's tips
Charlie's tips

Agree with Charlie? Follow his 35/1 Sky Bet tip here.

The Saints are going well. They are defensively nice and solid and they're scoring more goals now with Charlie Austin getting another couple on Sunday. Nathan Redmond is also playing well.

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However, Virgil van Dijk is probably their most important player. He's good in the air, he's not the quickest over five yards but he's quick over 15-20, and he's great on the ball. He's quite like John Stones with a bit more muscle.

He can take a risk as well. He got away with a stonewall penalty against Burnley and I'd suggest he'd be unlikely to get away with that if he did it again in the San Siro.

Wayne Rooney appluds the Old Trafford crowd after the game with Stoke City ends 1-1
Image: Will Wayne Rooney start on Thursday night?

I do wonder whether Southampton will create enough chances . I reckon Claude Puel and might want to give Shane Long a game and play on the counter to cancel out their hosts.

Charlie predicts: 0-0 (10/1 with Sky Bet)

Manchester United v Fenerbahce

I think this will be an interesting game because the bland Manchester United we saw against Liverpool on Monday, which I did expect, now find themselves in what is a must-win game if they're fussed about the Europa League.

What Jose Mourinho got his team to do on Monday was not my cup of tea, but they did it very well. The question is how he now turns his side into one that can dominate games and score goals.

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic has gone a bit quiet, Paul Pogba has just one goal since he arrived, so how are they going to play now? They've got to be a bit more expressive.

Is it feasible Pogba and Wayne Rooney can play in a similar areas? Could he play Marcus Rashford central? It will be interesting to see what Mourinho does.

I think he will make a couple of changes and I think he'll actually rest Ibrahimovic and give Rooney a game in the No 10 role.

Fenerbahce can be dangerous. I remember them coming to Arsenal a couple of years ago and should have won, and I think they'll have a good go at Manchester United in an open game.

Charlie predicts: 3-1 and Rooney to score first (35/1 with Sky Bet)

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