The Independent
·30. Januar 2025
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·30. Januar 2025
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Ruben Amorim tells Marcus Rashford what he must do to stay at Manchester United
Manchester United secured their place in the Europa League last-16 with a competent if unspectacular performance away at FCSB.
Ruben Amorim’s side controlled the game from the very start and dominated possession in the first half though they found it difficult to break through the hosts’ defences. FCSB actually came closest to opening the scoring as Mihai Popescu met a free kick and poked the ball just wide of the target.
United, however, lacked tempo and pace but with a firm grip on the game Amorim made changes at half-time and brought on pacey wingers Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo.
The deadlock came from a quick throw in from Amad who found Christian Eriksen. The Dane slipped Kobbie Mainoo into the box and he squared to Diogo Dalot for a tap in. Garnacho then had his say in the second goal. He bombed forward on the left, received the ball from Mainoo then sent it back to the midfielder who side-footed home.
It’s three wins from three now for Man Utd and their Europa League campaign is going swimmingly.
Pinned
A calming victory in Europe, that steers Manchester United through to the Europa League last 16 in third place. Crisis? What crisis?
Ruben Amorim certainly needed to experience this. His initiation to life in Manchester has, the man himself admits, left him feeling, and looking, 10 years older than he is.
Catastrophes on the continent, with two-goal leads against mediocre opposition thrown away with alarming regularity, played a major role in Erik ten Hag’s downfall.
FCSB 0-2 Manchester United: The Red Devils competently secured their place in the last-16 with positive signs for the future
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Mike Jones30 January 2025 22:59
Mainoo also became the 58th teenager to start a major European match for Manchester United, the most of any English club.
Mike Jones30 January 2025 22:53
"That is really important for us to have time to train and have the connection between everybody - even the staff.
"In training we go to the pitch and get to know each other in the right environment.
"It is really important and then you can have one week to prepare again.
"Beginning of the week you can work your ideas and then have time to focus on the opponent.
"I can understand my players better. I put Kobbie Mainoo in that position, we need time to understand the players as he was struggling a lot defending as a midfielder.
"As a 10 he was so free playing the ball near the box.
"We need time to work with the players to understand what the best position is for them."
Mike Jones30 January 2025 22:41
Manchester United are safely through to the knockout rounds of the Europa League despite a turbulent campaign so far.
United did not win any of their first three games under Erik ten Hag, before interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ruben Amorim steadied the ship.
Though United still left it late to defeat Viktoria Plzen and Rangers, a final victory over FCSB secured their place in the top-eight.
Mike Jones30 January 2025 22:28
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