Europa League draw: Manchester United set for Robin van Persie reunion as Southampton face Inter Milan

Former striker Robin van Persie will make first a return to Old Trafford since leaving in 2015

Jose Mourinho is likely to take the Europa League lightly this season (Getty)

Jose Mourinho says Manchester United have been drawn into a “difficult” group alongside Fenerbahce, Feyenoord and Zorya Luhansk in the Europa League group stage.

Robin van Persie will make a first return to Old Trafford since leaving in 2015 when Fenerbahce travel to England for the headline clash in Group A while an intriguing meeting with Ukrainian side Zorya also awaits United.

Southampton, meanwhile, will take on three-time European champions Internazionale as well as Sparta Prague and Hapoel Be'er Sheva, the Israeli club who lost out to Celtic in the Champions League play-off, in a daunting Group K draw.

“There are groups in the Champions League that are very similar, so it is good for that,” Mourinho said. “We all know the competition is not the same as the Champions League but to have Manchester United playing against clubs with tradition like Fenerbahce and Feyenoord is good for us.

“I don't have more vision about Ukraine. We know that it will be a difficult group, but I think that is a good thing. If you have teams without expression then even the fans may not enjoy Thursday nights at Old Trafford.

“It is good for the fans and for the players because it will help motivation.”

Holders Sevilla will not immediately have the chance to defend their crown after being promoted to the Champions League group stage but could drop back down into European football’s secondary club competition should they finish third in their pool.

United, on the other hand, qualified for the Europa League as a result of finishing fifth in the Premier League last season under Louis van Gaal - narrowly missing out on the top four - while the Saints finished one place below in sixth.

Southampton's executive director of football Les Reed said the South Coast club were relishing matches against some of Europe's most historic clubs. “It's a very exciting draw for everyone involved at the football club,” he said.

“There are some big challenges for us, with a big giant in Inter Milan. I'm sure everyone will look forward to that home and away, but the other two games will also be great tests for us with excellent atmospheres.”

League of Ireland Premier Division outfit Dundalk have been handed a tough group alongside Zenit St Petersburg, AZ Alkmaar and Maccabi Tel Aviv. West Ham United, meanwhile, missed out on the draw after being knocked out in qualifying by Romanian champions Astra Giurgiu.

See a pick of the draws below:

Group A

Manchester United

Fenerbahce

Feyenoord

Zorya

Group K

Internazionale

Sparta Praha

Southampton

Hapoel Be'er Sheva

Group D

Zenit St Petersburg

AZ Alkmaar

Maccabi Tel Aviv

Dundalk

Note: Placings within the group subject to change allowing for fixture alterations.