Manchester United Faces Crucial Europa League Test Against FCSB

BUCHAREST, Romania — Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has announced plans to rotate his squad for Thursday’s Europa League clash against FCSB at the National Stadium. The match, set for a 20:00 GMT kickoff, is crucial for United as they aim to secure a top-eight finish in the group stage and avoid a two-legged play-off next month.

Amorim emphasized the importance of rotation, stating, “We have to rotate some players. Everybody is prepared, and it is crucial for us to stay in the top eight and avoid the play-offs.” He added that the team needs to control possession and approach the game with a strong starting XI to secure a victory.

United’s squad for the trip to Bucharest includes fit-again defender Victor Lindelof, but Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw are absent. Manuel Ugarte, who suffered a knock in the previous match, is expected to be available, while Altay Bayindir is likely to start in goal. Christian Eriksen could also feature prominently in Amorim’s plans.

FCSB, currently eighth in the group, will be without captain Darius Olaru and former Tottenham defender Vlad Chiriches due to injuries. Coach Elias Charalambous is expected to deploy a 4-5-1 formation, with Daniel Birligea leading the attack.

Manchester United’s recent form has been inconsistent, but back-to-back wins have provided a glimmer of hope. A victory against FCSB would mark their third consecutive win and solidify their position in the competition. However, Amorim acknowledged the challenge, saying, “They’re a strong team and can score a lot of goals from set-pieces. We have to perform well to win the game.”

The stakes are high for both teams, with FCSB also vying for a top-eight finish. The match promises to be a tense encounter as both sides battle for a place in the knockout stages.