Manchester United travel to Russia to face FC Rostov in the first leg of their last 16 clash in the Europa League on Thursday (6pm kick-off).

Jose Mourinho’s men eased past Saint-Etienne 4-0 in the previous round and will fancy their chances against the Russian Premier League’s fifth place side, who have won just three of their last nine league matches.

On the other hand, United go into Thursday’s match having lost just once since the start of November, and they have also picked up the first piece of silverware of the season after edging past Southampton 3-2 in the League Cup final at Wembley last month.

Mourinho’s side will be full of confidence ahead of Thursday’s encounter, and will certainly hope that they take an advantage back to Old Trafford ahead of the second leg next week.

For United, this is definitely a competition that they can win, and having already won the League Cup, Mourinho may see the Europa League as another important competition in his developing reign as Red Devils boss.

His side are favourites to win it, and here are THREE reasons why they will be Europa League winners on May 24…

Excellent recent form

Since their 2-1 defeat to Fenerbahce on November 3, Mourinho’s men have lost just one of their 27 matches in all competitions, which was away at Hull in the second leg of their League Cup semi-final.

The Red Devils have won 19 of those games, and although they have drawn more than they would have liked, they are at least regularly avoiding defeat, and appear to have developed a know-how in getting results.

Since the Fenerbahce loss, United have won the League Cup, reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, and got themselves into top four contention in the Premier League – they are on an excellent run, and one that, over two legs, will take some stopping.

Won’t fear any one left in competition

United will feel that, as a club, they should be in Europe’s elite competition – the Champions League.

Thus, they are unlikely to fear any side left in the Europa League.

The likes of Roma, Lyon, Olympiakos, and Besiktas are still left in the draw, but with the first two playing each other and the last two playing one another, the draw could open up for United should they get past Rostov.

Four-times European Cup winners Ajax are still lurking, but the size and stature of United will make them the team to beat, and the one everyone else fears between now and May.

Guaranteed Champions League spot

Playing Thursday-Sunday is far from ideal, but when the incentive is not only a European honour but also a place in the Champions League, it’s something Mourinho may well target.

The Red Devils lost ground on the Premier League’s top four at the weekend after only drawing at home to Bournemouth, a result which leaves them sixth in the table and three points adrift of Liverpool in fourth.

Although that is not an insurmountable gap, the games are running out for United to finish in the top four, so their best bet of returning to the Champions League, at the moment, looks to be by winning the Europa League.

Mourinho’s men are the favourites to win the competition, and it’s one that they could reap the rewards from if they go all the way this term.