The homegrown duo were crucial to Ruben Amorim's side collecting a fifth consecutive European win to take their place in the last 16
There are four days left in the January transfer window and when it shuts on Monday Manchester United better make sure that Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho are still at the club. The homegrown duo both starred as Ruben Amorim's side demonstrated their quality to overpower FCSB 2-0 and take their place in the knockout stage of the Europa League without having to resort to a unwanted play-off tie.
United looked the better team from the off in Bucharest but couldn't take their chances, with Mainoo surprisingly blazing over with a glorious chance from close range. Garnacho and Amad Diallo were summoned from the bench after a goalless first half and the winger should have broken the deadlock when he hit the post. Bruno Fernandes then also bothered the woodwork before United found the breakthrough, Mainoo teeing up Diogo Dalot to tap in at the far post on the hour-mark.
Garnacho and Mainoo, who inspired United to win the FA Youth Cup three years ago, then combined to get the all-important second goal, after the hosts' striker Daniel Birligea had smashed the crossbar with a lethal effort.
So after failing to win any of their first three games, United picked up a fifth consecutive Europa League victory which saw the finish third in the standings, ending as the only unbeaten side in the competition. Full steam ahead to Bilbao…
GOAL rates Man United's players from the Steaua Stadium…
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Altay Bayindir (6/10):
Didn't have a save to make until the 80th minute but mighty lucky that Bigligea's thunderbolt didn't drop in. That said, could have commanded his box better.
Noussair Mazraoui (6/10):
Better in the back three than at wing-back as in the past few games.
Matthijs de Ligt (7/10):
Commanded the defence well.
Lisandro Martinez (8/10):
Played a quarter-back role from deep and alert to all the danger down his side.
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Diogo Dalot (7/10):
Got the breakthrough goal and helped break the play up for the second.
Toby Collyer (6/10):
Gave United energy and control through the middle. Sacrificed at half-time despite a solid showing.
Christian Eriksen (7/10):
Another decent display in the Europa League, which appears perfectly suited for his blend of high-level passing but low energy
Tyrell Malacia (5/10):
Erratic. Got a booking for giving away a dangerous free-kick and didn't offer much going forward.
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Bruno Fernandes (7/10):
A quiet first half but much improved in the second, rattling the bar with a long-range howitzer and missing a big chance to put the icing on the cake.
Rasmus Hojlund (5/10):
Improved hold-up play but his finishing was still poor.
Kobbie Mainoo (8/10):
Thrived in the advanced role. Missed a first-half sitter but made amends by creating the first goal and scoring the second.
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Amad Diallo (5/10):
Didn't have a huge impact in his 45 minutes.
Alejandro Garnacho (7/10):
Blew the game open, causing chaos down his side. Should have scored when he hit the post but made the second goal.
Leny Yoro (5/10):
Helped see out the win.
Casemiro (5/10):
Got 18 minutes in his first appearance of 2025.
Joshua Zirkzee (N/A):
Didn't get involved much.
Ruben Amorim (7/10):
His half-time changes made all the difference and suddenly he has won three games in a row.
