For a club that thrives on European nights, Manchester United made sure this was one to remember. A cold evening in Bucharest turned warm with the glow of victory as Diogo Dalot and Kobbie Mainoo sealed a 2-0 win over Steaua, punching United’s ticket to the last 16.
It was a win that carried the hallmarks of progress under Ruben Amorim, marking three consecutive victories for the first time in his tenure. For a squad desperate to find rhythm, this was another step in the right direction.
Mainoo Magic and a Glimpse of United’s Future
Sixty-eight minutes on the clock, and United finally found the cushion they needed. Alejandro Garnacho, as lively as ever, sent in a teasing delivery, and there was Mainoo, the boy wonder, showing composure beyond his years to slot it home. It was a moment of class from a talent United simply cannot afford to lose.
This was a night for United’s young guns. Mainoo, Garnacho, and Amad Diallo – all brimming with promise and delivering when it mattered.
Amorim, no doubt, would have watched on with satisfaction, knowing that his squad has the pieces to play a faster, more fluid brand of football. If United are to end this season with silverware, these young talents will be key.
Steaua’s Brave Resistance Fizzles Out
Steaua came into this match with belief. The Romanian champions may have cost just £32m to assemble compared to United’s £267.5m juggernaut, but for much of the first half, they held their own.
There were scares too – Mihai Popescu narrowly missing a sliding volley, Florin Tanase drawing a rash challenge from Tyrell Malacia. Had United’s backline faltered, this game could have been a different story.
Yet, for all Steaua’s fight, United had control. Christian Eriksen dictated the tempo, while Bruno Fernandes buzzed with intent. And though Rasmus Højlund once again struggled to make his mark, the Red Devils kept probing, waiting for their moment.
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Højlund’s Misfires but United Find a Way
Højlund’s drought continues. The Dane had his chances – a near-post header, a free shot in the area – but his finishing let him down once again. It’s becoming an unwanted pattern, one that Amorim must find a way to fix.
There’s no doubting the striker’s work rate, but strikers live on goals, and Højlund’s boots seem to be stuck in reverse.
Fortunately for United, their full-backs delivered. Dalot, often underrated, was in the right place at the right time to turn in United’s opener after Fernandes struck the post. And when Mainoo sealed the win moments later, it was game over.
United Avoid the Playoff Trap
With the win, United avoid the dreaded playoff round, earning themselves a smooth path into the last 16. Friday’s draw will decide their fate – with Midtjylland, Alkmaar, Real Sociedad, or Galatasaray awaiting in March.
Amorim was clear in his post-match thoughts: “You are Manchester United. You fight for trophies.” And while his team remains an enigma, flashes of their potential are beginning to emerge.
Next up: Crystal Palace in the league. What version of United will show up? That remains the million-pound question. But on this night in Bucharest, the answer was clear – a team growing in confidence, finding its identity, and marching forward in Europe.