Kobbie Mainoo shines as Man Utd beat FCSB to seal Europa League last-16 spot
Kobbie Mainoo shines as Man Utd beat FCSB to seal Europa League last-16 spot
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Kobbie Mainoo set up one and scored the other as Manchester United booked their place in the Europa League round of 16 with a 2-0 victory against FCSB in Romania. There have been some bumps in the road during a continental campaign that started sloppily under Erik ten Hag but ended with Ruben Amorim overseeing five straight wins. United were already assured of a place in knockout phase ahead of the trip to Bucharest, but second-half goals from Diogo Dalot and Mainoo ensured they avoid the play-offs and progress straight to the last 16.
The Red Devils finish third in the new-look 36-team league phase having gone through their eight Europa League matches unbeaten. Amorim said on the eve of the match that skipping February’s knockout fixtures would be “massive” given it clears two midweeks, giving him the training time he has craved since arriving in November. Mainoo was the star man at the sold-out Arena Nationala, where he followed a lively first-half display with a fine cross that allowed Dalot a simple finish in the 60th minute.
