Thursday night, Channel 5

This week sees the return of European competition, and for two in particular. As you may be able to tell by the blog title, I'm not talking about Arsenal or Chelsea. Manchesters United and City enter the Europa League at the 'round of 32' knockout phase, with different motivations and different expectations.

Both face fellow Champions League entrants in Porto (City), and Ajax (United). Porto are the holders, and will be smarting from their exit at the hands of Zenit and Cypriot flag-bearers APOEL. Ajax were victims to an eight-goal swing in the final round of matches, and are in civil war at the top, with lawsuits between legends causing mayhem in the boardroom, which can't fail to filter into the dressing room.

But what will each club fancy from their spell on the home of Jedward, Home and Away, and Fort Boyard?

Manchester United

Buy your loved one something nice this Valentines' week

Alex Ferguson has never won the Europa League under any of it's previous incarnations, and I'm sure didn't fancy competing for it this season. But, losing to Basel never helps, and here they are. The fans get a trip to Amsterdam, and perhaps it will give Ferguson a chance to scout closely Ajax's newest graduates such as Christian Eriksen.

The thought of more midweek games against some of Europe's middling teams (and Stoke) may not appeal to the Old Trafford beancounters, but the chance to reach a whole new audience on Freeview will be too good to miss.

Manchester City

City fans opinion of Tevez has lowered

Man City have a fair bit of experience in UEFA's poor relation, without any great distinction. With the amount of money they've spent, the board were no doubt expecting an assault on the European Cup, but they'll have to do with a pop at the vase, and Porto are no mugs (getting millions in compensation for AVB being one example).

With only two trophies left to compete for, there is pressure on Roberto Mancini to bring home more silverware, and perhaps a glorious night in Bucharest will be the next chapter in their history. The shame of a 5pm kick off on a Tuesday night should be enough to boot some of the players up the backside.

City's new signings model next season's away kit

The fact that a team could have to play as many as twenty-three matches to win the Europa League (if they started in the first qualifier) may give it a bit of a stain, but a trophy is a trophy, and if both clubs reach the final in May, try telling the fans that it means nothing.

Unless Arsenal are playing Chelsea in the Champions League final...