FCSB take on the visitors Manchester United in the round 8 match of UEFA Europa League group stage. The match will be played on Thursday, January 30th at Arena Nationala (Bucharest).
FCSB finally reclaimed the Romanian league title in 2024 after years of finishing no higher than second place. This season, the capital club is fighting to defend its top spot, though competition is fierce, with Universitatea Cluj leading the standings at the winter break by a narrow margin. Their Champions League campaign was short-lived, as they overcame Virtus and Maccabi Tel Aviv but fell to Sparta Prague. However, their Europa League performances were much more impressive. They secured 11 points in six matches in 2024, including victories over RFS, PAOK, and Midtjylland, along with a qualification win over LASK. In January, they managed a crucial 3-2 away win against Qarabag, which secured their place in the knockout rounds. Despite inconsistency in domestic competition, FCSB has shown resilience in Europe, making them a dangerous opponent.
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Manchester United must take this tournament seriously. The Red Devils performed well in the 2022-23 season, their first under Erik ten Hag. Perhaps that, combined with their FA Cup triumph, saved the Dutchman from an expected summer dismissal. Instead, the club backed him with another wave of expensive signings. It didn’t pay off, as United’s performances quickly deteriorated, leading to Ten Hag’s dismissal in the fall. His replacement, Ruben Amorim, despite his talent, has struggled to steady the ship. However, they did pull off an impressive FA Cup win over Arsenal on penalties despite playing with 10 men. In the Europa League, United began with three consecutive draws but improved after Ten Hag's departure, securing wins over PAOK, Bodø/Glimt, and Viktoria Plzeň. Last Thursday, against Rangers, they conceded an 88th-minute equalizer but found a late winner to secure a 2-1 victory. Despite their struggles, United’s squad depth and experience have allowed them to grind out results in Europe.
Despite both clubs’ historic status, this will be their first-ever meeting in official competition. Despite their issues, the Red Devils remain the stronger side and should be able to secure another victory.
Prediction for the match: Manchester United to win.
