FCSB vs Manchester United. UEFA Europa League.
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Steaua Bucharest 0-2 Man Utd: Diogo Dalot and Kobbie Mainoo second-half goals put visitors into Europa League last 16
Report as second-half goals from Diogo Dalot and Kobbie Mainoo seal Man Utd's progression to Europa League last 16 with 2-0 win over Steaua Bucharest in Romania; hosts finish 11th in table and drop into play-offs; Man Utd will not find out their knock-out opponents until February 21
Friday 31 January 2025 12:06, UK
Manchester United finished third in the Europa League group phase after Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo's introductions inspired a 2-0 win at Steaua Bucharest.
United will advance directly to the last 16 and will face one of Real Sociedad, Galatasaray, AZ Alkmaar or Midtjylland on March 6 and 13.
They dominated without creating a great deal in the opening 45 minutes in the Romanian capital before the surprise half-time addition of Amad and Garnacho revitalised United's tired attack, with the latter striking the post within two minutes of his arrival.
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Bruno Fernandes rattled the woodwork again moments before Amad's throw-in led to Kobbie Mainoo finding space to slide the ball through the six-yard box for Diogo Dalot to slot home the opener on the hour.
Daniel Birligea's rasping drive from distance nearly upstaged Fernandes' as it bounced back off the bar with Steaua inches from levelling the game, before Garnacho showed his quality to pick out Mainoo with a cut-back the midfielder stroked into the far corner.
That ended any lingering sense of jeopardy for the visitors and ensured Ruben Amorim the two free midweeks in February he has longed for, though he and United will not find out who they will face when their European adventure resumes until the last-16 draw on February 21 - with their only certainty that they cannot face Premier League rivals Tottenham until the final.
Amorim: We have to feel we can win Europa League
Man Utd ended the group phase as the only unbeaten side in the Champions League or Europa League and Ruben Amorim was asked whether this meant they fancied themselves as one of the favourites for the competition - and a potential first piece of silverware under his leadership.
"I think we can think game by game we can win it," he said. "Then you have the responsibility, no matter the context, you play for Man Utd so you must fight to win trophies.
"At this stage of any competition, anything is possible."
Analysis: Mainoo shows quality in advanced role
Mainoo's player-of-the-match performance in Bucharest was underpinned by revelling in a more advanced role, the first time he has been played as a No 10 from the start under Amorim.
The 19-year-old made one goal and scored the other in the 2-0 win, while he had nine opposition-box touches - the most of any United player - and completed 39 of his 42 passes.
Amorim said having time to work with the teenager had allowed him to shine in the new role, adding: "He was struggling a lot defending as a midfielder but now more as a No 10 you can feel he was so free, playing the ball near the box. There he is really good with small connections.
"You need time to work with players to decipher what is best for them."
The final Europa League table
Here's how the Europa League has finished after eight rounds of fixtures:
When is the Europa League knockout stage?
Knockout play-offs: February 13 and February 20, 2025
Round of 16: March 6 and March 13, 2025
Quarter-finals: April 10 and April 17, 2025
Semi-finals: May 1 and May 8, 2025
Final: May 21, 2025
