Match Review: FCSB 0-2 Manchester United
Whoa whoa whoa. Did I see some... good football?
Early caveat before people kick my teeth in: I said SOME, not a lot. That being said, the kids are alright eh?
United delivered more of the same tepid football in the first half; controlling at least, but never looking that creative or dangerous aside one unlucky Kobbie Mainoo chance on what actually turned out to be his first major European start. Madness. I could have sworn he'd started prior to this but nope. Anyway, Kobbie started, and in the 10, and it really suited him.
Amorim unlocked matters with his half-time substitutes though, bringing in Garnacho and Amad for Collyer and Malacia. More intent, more pace, and more running at people. Lovely.
Garnacho pounced on a poor backpass from FCSB immediately in the second half, but his effort glanced off the Bucharest far post and out for a goal kick.
United's first goal would come in the 60th minute through Diogo Dalot, who was freshly at LWB having played on the right in the first half. An Amad throw, a nodded pass from Eriksen, and a beautiful squared pass low across the box. Was Hojlund ready? no. But Dalot was committed, back post, ready to side foot home.
Actually, we'll pause on Rasmus Hojlund. He's been poor lately and rightly getting criticised, but when we look at the stats below we can see what he didn't score but did put in a shift. Ruben Amorim will want - and certainly needs - more from the Dane, but he's not slacking.
United's second came eight minutes later through that boy again - Kobbie Mainoo. A sloppy pass inwards from Dalot was met by a sloppier touch from FCSB. Dalot wins the ball back, tees up Hojlund, off to Mainoo behind him, wide to Garnacho, and beautifully cut back at an acute angle for Kobbie Mainoo to first time hit a strong finish into the bottom right corner. No mad dash from Kobbie to alert defenders, just careful running, precise timing and solid technique. Props to Garnacho for keeping aware of his teammate's run too. Excellent vision and execution.
Indeed, Garnacho's running and directness was much more evident today and much more impactful. FCSB aren't a great team, so it makes a bit of sense, but they're in the second European competition - they're not nobodies either. Aside hitting the post, he also played Bruno Fernandes through for a great chance that narrowly didn't go in.
This was the half of nearlies in all honesty. Garna hit the post. Bruno missed this. De Ligt nodded wide twice on late corners for United. Fine margins but ones that could take United from a modest 2-0 win to a sensational 6-0 thrashing - something confidence is borne from.
Regardless, it was a win away from home in Europe and a clean sheet. Bayindir was barely troubled but did his part, and it means that Amorim hasn't lost in this Europa League... group? league? stage.
Aside the madness of being the only unbeaten team (albeit not actually top of the table) we can see that Amorim is following in Fergie's footsteps with some positive stats in Europe.
We can also see this grim stat that we've finally won three in a row. Good lord.
The timing comes beautifully, because yours truly has been gifted a box seat ticket (+ food) for United vs Palace through work. The downside is I have to dress nice, but the upside is hopefully I can see us get some revenge on Palace for all the grief they caused us under Erik Ten Hag. A good win over them could jump us into 11th... but Brentford have Spurs so we'll be staying 12th. Shame.
Kick off is 2pm at Old Trafford on Sunday.
