Manchester United is applying for an automatic qualification for the last 16 of the Europa League on Thursday evening, while visiting FCSB in your last excursion in the league.
The Red Devils are guaranteed to reach the Knockout phase of the competition after four consecutive victories have taken fourth place in the overall ranking. They are safe in the play-offs, but can ensure automatic progress on the last 16 if they hit FCSB in Romania. Even a tie would probably be enough to secure a top dight finish.
United can take second place in the table, but cannot skip Lazio Table table, the six won and pulled one of her seven meetings. The victory on Thursday would mean that the English giants would not take lower place than fourth place.
Her late victory over Rangers last week means that United is still unbeaten in competition, but this record is tested by FCSB. The Bucharest outfit is only one point behind Ruben Amorim’s team on matchday 8 and only lost once in the league -although this was a 4-0 defeat against the GERS in their last collision with British opposition.
Here is 90 minutes Guide to the collision.
FCSB against MAN UTD head-to-head results
This is the first competition game between FCSB and MAN UTD.
Current form (all competitions)
FCSB | Man utd |
|---|---|
Uta Arad 0-1 FCSB – 26/01/25 | Fulham 0-1 Man UTD – 26/01/25 |
Qarabag 2-3 FCSB – 23/01/25 | Man UTD 2-1 Rangers – 23/01/25 |
FCSB 1-1 Hermannstadt – 17/01/25 | Man UTD 1-3 Brighton – 19/01/25 |
Politehnica Iasil 0-2 FCSB – 23/12/24 | Man UTD 3-1 Southampton – 16/01/25 |
FCSB 0-2 University of Craiva – 18/12/24 | Arsenal 1-1 (3-5P) Man UTD-01.02.25 |
country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | TNT Sports 1, Discovery+, Discovery+ App |
United States | Paramount+, VIX |
Canada | Dazn Canada |
FCSB is without midfielder Darius Olaru, while he continues his recovery from shoulder operation, while Mihai Lixandru is also in the treatment room with ACL tear. The winger Octavian Pepescu has been missing since November and will not be available against United.
Former Tottenham defender Vlad Chiriches, who was not beaten in three meetings with United during his magic in North London, is doubtful that she has previously missed the entire whole of 2025.
FCSB predicted line-up against man UTD (4-2-3-1): Tarnovanu; Cretu, Ngezana, Dawa, Radunovic; Alhassan, Sut; Miculescu, Tanase, Stefanescu; Birzea.
Manuel Ugarte was considered a doubt on Thursday after he was injured against Fulham on Sunday, but the Uruguayan middle field player was involved in the open training unit of United on Wednesday. He could be involved in Bucharest.
He was surprised that the returnee Luke Shaw, who has been absent with a thigh injury since the beginning of December. It remains to be seen whether he will travel to Romania with the squad, but United should carefully manage his minutes.
United is still without Jonny Evans and Mason Mount, while Marcus Rashford is still frozen by Amorim.
UTD forecast the line-up against FCSB (3-4-2-1): Onana; De Ligt, Maguire, Martinez; Mazraoui, Mainoo, Fernandes, Dalot; Amad, Garnacho; Circle.
United was far from being convinced for a large part of her European campaign, but there is no defeat in seven games. They have often found close ways to victory in their last four games, including a goal against Bodo/Glimt, Viktoria Plzen and Rangers.
It could be a similar story for United on Thursday against an FCSB team that could surprise the supporters of Red Devils. They were impressive in Europe and have proven to be difficult, even if their lack of ruthlessness in the last third could cost Amorim’s men.