United travel to Romania for our last Europa League group game against Steaua Bucharest. FCSB are the current Romanian champions, and sit eighth in the European table, meaning they are in the last automatic qualification spot.
We sit fourth, but are only 3 points clear of twelfth. A win guarantees automatic qualification, a draw or defeat doesn’t.Put simply, it’s all to play for for both teams, and both teams will be desperate to win.
Results-wise, we’re in a decent run of form, having won 4 of the last 5 in all competitions. But truth be told; there have been some really laboured performances recently.
It would be nice to see a convincing win and sail through to the knockout stages, but with this United team, you feel that almost any result is possible.
Manchester United team news
While Antony has departed for Real Betis on loan, Victor Lindelof is back in the squad and aiming to make his first appearance of 2025 after recovering from injury. Luke Shaw has returned to training but remains unavailable for selection.
Altay Bayindir started in goal against Rangers, but Andre Onana returned for the Fulham match. Both goalkeepers, along with Tom Heaton, are part of the Bucharest-bound squad but it’s likely the Turk will get the nod.
Amorim has rotated his defense recently, with Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, and Leny Yoro all featuring at centre-back. There have also been changes in midfield and attack, with Toby Collyer and Christian Eriksen starting against Rangers, while Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee continue to compete for the no.9 role.
Hojlund, who scored twice in United’s last European away game at Viktoria Plzen, leads the competition with five goals in the 2024/25 season.
TRAVELLING SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton, Andre Onana.
Defenders: Diogo Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui, Leny Yoro.
Midfielders: Casemiro, Toby Collyer, Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte.
Forwards: Amad, Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund, Joshua Zirkzee.
FCSB PREVIEW
Steaua sit second on goal difference in the Romanian SuperLiga and have done well in the Europa League, hence sitting in eighth (the last automatic qualification spot). They’ve beaten PAOK, and drawn with Hoffenheim and Olympiacos, but did get a 4-0 thumping off Rangers.
FCSB’s key man is powerful number 9 Daniel Birilgea, who has 11 in 21 games this season.
It’s worth also noting the fact that this game will be played away in the Romanian capital. With all due respect to the hosts, this is Manchester United and the mach will very much be their ‘cup final’ this season (unless they end up making it to any actual cup finals!).
It’s the biggest game the club will have played seasons and the fans, and probably the whole city, will be right up for it. Eastern European teams have a reputation for generating a raucous and often intimidating atmosphere. United will have to just ignore the noise and play their football.
Predicted XI
Bayindir;
Yoro, Maguire, Mazraoui;
Amad, Collyer, Mainoo, Dalot;
Fernandes, Garnacho;
Hojlund.
Form Guide
Manchester United All Competitions Form:
W W L W W
FCSB All Competitions Form:
L L D W W
Prediction
Although they’re domestic champions, Steaua are minnows in Europe, and Manchester United are one of the world’s biggest clubs.
It really is a game we need to win, convincingly, with a good performance. Recent results have masked poor play, and now is the time for us to truly put a team to the sword. Steaua do concede goals – Rangers managed to put 4 past them
FSCB have a home advantage, but we should have too much for them in the end. Given some of our defensive gaffs recently, don’t be surprised if the Romanians grab a goal.
Predicted score: FCSB 1-3 Manchester United