Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News
Manchester United booked their place within the last-16 of the Europa League with a 2-0 victory over FCSB.
Second-half targets from Diogo Dalot and Kobbie Mainoo proved the distinction because the Crimson Devils managed proceedings in opposition to their Romanian hosts.
The primary half was a cagey affair, with United dominating possession however struggling to interrupt down a well-organised FCSB defence.
The guests long-established a number of first rate openings, with Rasmus Hojlund testing goalkeeper Tarnovanu and Christian Eriksen firing a half-volley straight on the shot-stopper.
Nevertheless, it was FCSB who got here closest to breaking the impasse when Popescu met Radunovic’s cross with a sliding volley, solely to see his effort roll agonisingly broad of the far put up.
United ramped up the stress after the break, introducing Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo to inject some much-needed attacking spark.
⏹️ Job carried out in Bucharest — effectively performed, lads! 🫡#MUFC || #UEL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 30, 2025
Inside minutes, Garnacho was inches away from scoring, pouncing on a free back-pass earlier than seeing his low shot clip the put up and roll behind.
Moments later, Bruno Fernandes rattled the crossbar with a surprising long-range strike.
The breakthrough lastly arrived within the sixtieth minute. Diallo took a fast throw-in to Mainoo, who spun well and whipped a harmful ball throughout objective. Dalot arrived on the again put up to fit dwelling, giving United the lead.
FCSB almost hit again in spectacular vogue, with Birligea’s curling effort beating United’s goalkeeper Altay Bayindir however crashing off the crossbar.
Mainoo then sealed the victory within the 68th minute with a well-taken objective. The younger midfielder began the transfer, spreading the ball broad to Garnacho earlier than ghosting into the field to fulfill the Argentine’s cutback. With composure past his years, he slotted the ball previous Tarnovanu, securing all three factors for United.
Regardless of late efforts from FCSB, together with a glancing header from Birligea that was effectively saved by Bayindir, the guests comfortably noticed out the remaining minutes.
With this victory, Manchester United prolong their unbeaten run in Europa League group-stage away fixtures to seven matches. The Crimson Devils now stay up for the knockout levels, with confidence rising as they chase European silverware.
