Manchester United are through to the round-of-16 of the UEFA Europa League, after a 0-2 win against FCSB was enough to secure a third-place finish in the inaugural league phase.
Rúben Amorim made five changes to the side that picked up three points against Fulham in the Premier League last Sunday, and while the Red Devils looked to be in control throughout the first half in Bucharest, they were unable to break the deadlock before the break.
But the breakthrough they so dearly needed came just before the hour mark, with a teasing delivery from Kobbie Mainoo slotted home by Diogo Dalot at the far post.
Despite an immediate scare as FCSB pushed for an equaliser, Mainoo slotted home a goal of his own eight minutes after the opener to ensure the Red Devils progress to the round-of-16 as the only unbeaten team in the tournament.
As it happened
Manchester United wasted no time trying to force the opener at the National Stadium of Romania on Thursday night, with Christian Eriksen’s free-kick delivery nodded agonisingly wide by Matthijs de Light inside of five minutes.
It looked to be a missed chance that could have swiftly come back to bite the visitors, as a teasing cross from Risto Radunovic was met well by Mihai Popescu in a central area, only for the defender to poke his effort just wide of Altay Bayindir’s goal.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut it served as a wake-up call, with United beginning to dominate possession from that point onwards yet still not finding that final touch as Kobbie Mainoo blazed over the crossbar from 12 yards out.
Lisandro Martinez couldn’t break the deadlock either, with his delivery into the box dealt with well by FCSB’s Stefan Târnovanu – and so with the game still goalless at the break, Amorim decided to reinforce his attacking line with the half-time introduction of Alejandro Garnacho and Amad.
It was a move that looked to have paid off instantaneously, with a through ball sending Garnacho through on goal inside five minutes; his effort flew barely an inch wide of the target, striking the outside of the post as United were so cruelly denied the opener.
But it was clear that Amorim’s changes were having the desired effect, and on the hour mark, the Red Devils were able to fire themselves into the lead through Diogo Dalot’s far-post finish. Fed by a pinpoint delivery from Mainoo, the full-back slotted home with aplomb in front of United’s sizeable travelling contingent.
Embed from Getty ImagesFCSB wasted no time in trying to respond to falling behind. Just three minutes had passed before Daniel Bîrligea struck the underside of the crossbar from range, watching on in disbelief as the offside Florin Tănase sent the rebound wide of the target.
Hopes of an FCSB comeback were swiftly dashed by Thursday’s visitors, though. Mainoo, having registered the assist for Dalot’s opener just eight minutes earlier, netted a goal of his own – arriving in the penalty area to meet Garnacho’s cutback from the left flank and settle any doubts about the viability of United’s lead.
The dying stages provided an opportunity to bag a third goal, although fine goalkeeping from Târnovanu kept the angle tight for Bruno Fernandes, who could only roll wide of the far post.
United qualify for the round-of-16 as the only unbeaten side in the tournament, albeit just missing out on the top two and the favourable draw that comes with it.
The lineups
FCSB: Târnovanu; Popescu, Ngezana, Dawa; Crețu, Edjouma, Șut, Radunović; Tănase, Bîrligea, Miculescu
MUN: Bayindir; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez; Dalot, Collyer, Mainoo, Malacia; Eriksen, Fernandes; Højlund