• Man Utd enjoy strong Europa League win in Romania
  • Diogo Dalot and Kobbie Mainoo goals see off FCSB
  • Ruben Amorim's side book automatic place in last 16
  • Man Utd qualify for Europa League last 16 after strong finish to league phase
  • Victory over FCSB secured by Diogo Dalot & Kobbie Mainoo goals
  • Alejandro Garnacho played a major role in the second half performance

 

Manchester United finished the Europa League 'league phase' in third place following Thursday night's 2-0 result against FCSB in Romania.

A goal-less first half in which Ruben Amorim's were arguably the stronger side was followed by a second 45 in which United made their quality felt.

Diogo Dalot and Kobbie Mainoo scored within a few minutes of each other around the hour mark, the latter also assisting the first, to give the Red Devils breathing room.

But they had other chances too, including Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho both hitting the woodwork, while Altay Bayindir preserved the clean sheet with a handful of important saves as FCSB looked for a way back into the game late on.

Manchester United enjoyed a 2-0 win over FCSB in the Europa League on Thursday, making it back-to-back wins and clean sheets for Ruben Amorim's side after beating Fulham on Sunday.

Diogo Dalot and Kobbie Mainoo scored in quick succession in the second half against the 1986 European champions, who made a game of it as best they could, but ultimately lacked the quality.

How the game unfolded

Bucharest's National Arena was a hostile setting for United and the already loud crowd inside the incredible stadium erupted after ten minutes when it looked as though Mihai Popescu had given the hosts an early lead. His far-post volley on the stretch from Risto Radunovic's in-swinging free-kick was only narrowly wide, but highlighted a known set-piece danger.

United had their own chance not long after when Mainoo made a run into the box, channelling Euro '96 era Paul Gascoigne as he flicked the ball over an approaching defender, but failing to properly connect with the eventual shot as it dropped. The same player then skied a decent opportunity 12 yards out after Rasmus Hojlund's cutback from the inside left channel.

Hojlund saw a header comfortably saved by home goalkeeper Stefan Tarnovanu half an hour in. But while the atmosphere remained and the game was played at a decent tempo, most of the opening 45 minutes passed by without more than just a handful of real chances.

United had edged the first half without consistently creating, and it was an FCSB mistake that almost gifted a goal straight after the restart. Half-time substitute Alejandro Garnacho snapped up a loose back pass, but could only direct his finish against the outside of the post. The introduction of Garnacho, along with Amad Diallo, provided fresh impetus for Amorim's team.

Bruno Fernandes rattled the crossbar from distance only moments before Dalot's breakthrough on the hour mark. Mainoo deserves credit for the clever run from a throw-in to create the space for a low cross, drilled toward Dalot closing in at the far-post from the left.

FCSB hit the opposite crossbar almost immediately through Daniel Birligea from outside the box, a warning for the visitors, before Mainoo provided some vital breathing room. A promising initial move broke down, but United pressing quickly won it back, with Garnacho's cutback calmly converted in the middle of the box with a first-time finish by the impressive No.37.

United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir didn't let a quiet night affect his concentration when FCSB substitutes Marius Stefanescu, Alexandru Baluta, as well as Birligea all forced saves out of the Turkey international in the closing stages. Fernandes probably could have scored a third at the end, just unable to wrap his foot around the ball from close-range after an excellent backheel from Garnacho.