Manchester United's objective of finishing top of their Europa League group has not changed.

That is according to defender Chris Smalling who insists United can still grab first place Group A despite Thursday night's 1-0 loss to Feyenoord in Rotterdam.

Tonny Vilhena's late goal condemned the Red Devils to an opening group stage defeat but centre-back Smalling, starting for the first time this season, feels there is scope for improvement in their remaining European fixtures.

"Yeah it puts pressure on the second game (at home against Zorya), there's no doubt about that," Smalling told MUTV.

"But we do have five games to make sure we still finish top of the group."

Asked of the challenge of returning to England late Thursday for a midday kick-off at Watford on Sunday, Smalling said: "I think that is a good thing.

"We've not got time to dwell and a few days to recover and we make suer we stand up and be counted on Sunday because we've a big result to get."