Who was United's Man of the Match v FCSB?

Thursday 30 January 2025 23:23

Manchester United achieved automatic passage to the knockout rounds of the Europa League with a 2-0 win over FCSB — but who was your Man of the Match?

The Romanian side proved tricky customers throughout the first 45 minutes, packing their own half and leaving very little space for the Reds to operate in.

But Ruben Amorim's side managed to create the room after the break. First, Diogo Dalot tapped home a neat Kobbie Mainoo delivery across the box, before the England international printed his own name on the scoresheet with a smooth drilled finish from the centre of the penalty area.

There were plenty of bright moments at the National Arena, but who stole the show in our fan poll? Keep scrolling to see the results...

Who was United's Man of the Match in Bucharest?poll

Who was United's Man of the Match in Bucharest?

Taking a substantial 68 per cent of the vote was, of course, Mainoo — the creator of our first goal and scorer of the second.

Often deployed in one of Amorim's deeper midfield roles, today he was given licence to attack as one of the creators behind Rasmus Hojlund, and he didn't need asking twice.

Even during the tough first-half battle, our Academy graduate almost broke the deadlock with a neat flick over his markers head — the subsequent shot stopped by Stefan Tarnovanu — before sending a squared cross over the bar that would have nestled in the back of the FCSB net on another day.

Undeterred, Mainoo turned the screw in the second half and was rewarded for his endeavour: a goal, an assist, and your Man of the Match!

Not to be forgotten is Bruno Fernandes's contribution, coming in a respectable second place with 12 per cent of the fan vote.

It could be argued his specutacular effort at 0-0, a rocket from distance which rattled the crossbar, was the catalyst to unlocking our hosts' stubborn defensive block.

The strike visibly wobbled the Romanian side and, seconds later, his fellow Portugal international Dalot tapped home the opener.

But it was an all-action performance from our captain, creating the most chances in the game (3) and winning the most duels (10) in his deeper midfield berth — more than worthy of the recognition he's received in the poll.

Kobbie Mainoo is our midfielder

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A banner in the away end said it all - and the teenager stole the show in Bucharest.

Both Alejandro Garnacho, creator of the second, and Dalot, scorer of the first goal, received significant portions of the vote too, with eight and five per cent respectively. But, ultimately, nobody could take Kobbie's crown on the night.

Congratulations, Mainoo! Thank you to everyone who voted.

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