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The Europa League presents a challenge that neither Manchester United or Manchester City expected to face when they started out this season in the Champions League. But, as the Life’s A Pitch team points out, with the Premier League their only other distraction now, both teams have big enough squads and sufficient motivation to take Europe’s second-tier competition seriously.

“I think it’ll be a really good test of [Man] City,” says the Guardian’s Dominic Fifield of their clash against Porto. ”Porto, as the holders, have got something to prove as well. It’ll be a really difficult match for Manchester City. And City have to take the competition seriously as well. It would be a coup for them to win a European trophy. I think they’ll pick a strong side; he [Roberto Mancini] is already talking about [Mario] Balotelli playing, and David Silva potentially up front. So that’s an indication of how seriously he is taking the tournament.”

That Man Utd (who take on Ajax) and Man City both find themselves in the Europa League also adds to how competitively both teams will take the tournament, explains the Sunday Telegraph’s Duncan White. ”It helps the competition that both Manchester clubs are in it, so there is a little bit of face at stake there,” he says. “[Plus], if you’re only in two competitions, that’s perfectly manageable for squads the size of these. A trophy is a trophy, and while it’s not got the respect some of the others have, it’s still one that I think is underestimated.”

While some consider the Europa League an unwanted distraction to big teams like Man Utd and Man City, former footballer and journalist Adrian Clarke believes it’s actually a bonus. ”It keeps the fringe players happy as well. These guys that aren’t playing regularly in the Premier League are going to get a chance to stake their claim in Europe and stay fit and fresh for when they’re needed in the Premier League. I think it’s a win-win situation that they’re in this competition.”

The panel also discusses Stoke’s prospects in the competition when they come up against Valencia.

Watch the full video discussion by clicking on the image play button above.

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Follow Life’s A Pitch on Twitter @BTLifesapitch

Watch Man City and Man Utd live on BT Vision:
Ajax v Man Utd, live 5:15pm, 16 February, Channel 5
Porto v Man City, live 8pm, ITV1
Man City v Blackburn, live 5pm, 25 February, Sky Sports 2
Tottenham v Man Utd, live 4pm, 4 March, Sky Sports 1

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More live football fixtures on BT Vision