Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo helped Man Utd beat FCSB (Image: Getty)
A vastly improved second-half performance saw defeat FCSB 2-0 in their final match of the league phase. Diogo Dalot and scored after made positive changes at half-time.
The Portuguese coach turned to substitutes and after United laboured to a goalless first half. Both had a big impact on the second half, with Mainoo hugely impressive in a more advanced role.
Dalot converted from Mainoo’s cross before the England international converted Garnacho’s delivery to score his first goal of the season.
But there were still some underwhelming performances from three United players. It is an issue that Amorim must address.
Here is how Express Sport rated United’s players…
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Altay Bayindir– 6
Bayindir was tested only once by FCSB, making a routine save at his near post with less than 10 minutes remaining. By then, the damage was done. Daniel Berligea thundered the crossbar but United will be surprised by how comfortable were they throughout.
Noussair Mazraoui – 6
Mazraoui was positive in possession. FCSB failed to provide a threat down United’s right-hand side.
– 6
De Ligt defended resolutely against any threat from the opposition. The Dutchman is making the central centre-back role his own.
Lisandro Martinez – 6
Like Mazraoui and De Ligt, Martinez faced little pressure. He brought the ball out from defence well.
Diogo Dalot – 7
Dalot has improved significantly as a wing-back and reaped the benefits of his run to the back post to convert Mainoo’s cross.
Ruben Amorim will have been impressed by an improved second half display by Man Utd (Image: Getty)
Toby Collyer – 6
Collyer has deserved his increased game time over recent weeks and it was a shame that he could manage no more than 45 minutes in Romania. The 21-year-old was replaced after struggling with
– 6
Amorim clearly does not fancy Fernandes as one of the No. 10s. It was telling that Kobbie Mainoo started in the role ahead of the United captain, who dropped into a deeper midfield position. Fernandes was one of his side’s more positive players and crashed an effort against the crossbar shortly before Dalot’s goal.
Tyrell Malacia – 4
Malacia, who is still getting back to full fitness after 18 months out, looked some way off the pace. He was booked for a late challenge before being taken off at half-time. Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo were introduced to inject some forward-thinking ideas.
Christian Eriksen – 4
Amorim keeps turning to Eriksen in Europe and it remains a mystery why. The former star no longer has the physicality to constantly press and struggled for ideas when he had possession.
Kobbie Mainoo – 7
Mainoo grew into the game in a rare start as a No. 10. His swivel and pass across the penalty area found Dalot to score before the academy graduate finished off a move himself. There is scope for him to play a more advanced role in the future.
Rasmus Hojlund has not done enough in a Man Utd shirt (Image: Getty)
– 4
United’s midfielders need to do more to bring Hojlund into the game, but the Dane must also work much harder himself. He had touched the ball just 17 times before the hour mark. By comparison, FCSB forward Florin Tanase – whose side scarcely threatened – touched the ball 31 times in 60 minutes.
Substitutes
Alejandro Garnacho (for Collyer ’46) – 7
Garnacho’s introduction at half-time changed the course of the game. Suddenly, United were far more positive and raced forward with each attack. Garnacho assisted Mainoo’s goal with a perfectly-executed left-footed cross. It would be a huge mistake for United to let the 20-year-old leave.
Amad Diallo (for Malacia ’46) – 6
Like with Garnacho, United were far better with Amad on the pitch. Their shape had been far too deep in the first half.
Leny Yoro (for Martinez ’71) – 6
Happy to rotate his defenders with such little pressure from the hosts, Amorim gave Yoro more game time. The Frenchman performed well.
Casemiro (for Eriksen ’71) – 6
Casemiro made himself busy in midfield as United sought to close out the game. His experienced helped in a professional victory.
Joshua Zirkzee (for Hojlund ’80) – N/A
Zirkzee had little time to make an impact after replacing the ineffective Hojlund with 10 minutes remaining.