How to watch and follow FCSB v United

How to watch and follow FCSB v United

Manchester United’s Europa League group campaign concludes this week as we travel to Bucharest to take on FCSB.

This is the Romanian champions’ first-ever meeting with United, who will progress to the round of 16 with a fifth straight victory in this competition.

We’ll also have a good chance of automatic qualification, and avoiding the play-offs if we draw, but a defeat could mean two extra games in February. See here for all the permutations.

It’s set to be an exciting matchday eight in the Europa League, so scroll down for all the live coverage details and the team news for both sides…

HOW TO WATCH AND FOLLOW

The game will be broadcast on TNT Sports in the UK, with the kick-off set for 20:00 GMT. All 18 fixtures start at the same time.

MUTV will have pre-match and post-match coverage from The National Arena and our Matchday Live show starts at 18:55 GMT.

You can listen along to the game through our radio commentary, with live stats and updates available in the United App throughout.

Highlights of the game will be available across our platforms from midnight on Friday.

TEAM NEWS

Victor Lindelof returned to the Reds bench after a month on the sidelines for Sunday’s hard-fought success at Fulham.

Manuel Ugarte was withdrawn with a knock during the second half at Craven Cottage and we await an update on the Uruguayan, which could arrive when Ruben Amorim addresses the media at his press conference in Romania on Wednesday. The travelling squad – released earlier that day – will also provide a good clue as to who is and isn’t available.

FCSB are without captain and talisman Darius Olaru, who has been ruled out for months after having shoulder surgery. Octavian Popescu and Mihai Lixandru are also long-term absentees.

FORM GUIDE

FCSB, who sit second in the Romanian top-flight on goal difference, are unbeaten in their last four Europa League matches, beating Midtjylland and Qarabag while settling for goalless draws against Olympiacos and Hoffenheim.

Although the Romanians were knocked out of the Champions League at the final play-off stage by Sparta Prague, they have lost just one of their matches in this competition in 2024/25. However, that was a heavy defeat as they went down 4-0 at Rangers, the team United beat last time out.

We have won four Europa League games in a row, also bettering PAOK, Bodo/Glimt and Viktoria Plzen, and another victory would match our record run of five, set during the 2022/23 group stage.

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ONES TO WATCH

In the absence of Olaru, the Romanians will be relying on big striker Daniel Birligea, who has already found the net three times in the current league phase.

Goalkeeper Stefan Tarnovanu – in Romania’s Euro 2024 squad and regularly linked with a move to Italy’s Serie A – has four clean sheets in seven Europa League games, while defensive midfielder Adrian Sut is another who has been picked for the national team recently. He will probably captain the side in Olaru’s stead.

Premier League fans may recognise Vlad Chiriches, who had a short spell at Tottenham a decade ago. The centre-back is a rotation option these days, at the age of 35.

DID YOU KNOW?

FCSB have lost their last seven games against English sides by an aggregate score of 20-2.

The Reds have won five of our six meetings with Romanian sides in all competitions, with CFR Cluj gaining a surprise win at Old Trafford in December 2012.

Bruno Fernandes became only the second player to score 10+ Europa League goals for United when netting the winner against Rangers, joining Marcus Rashford, who has 14 strikes in the tournament.

RIVALS WATCH

Here’s the complete list of Europa League fixtures on matchday eight…

Ajax v Galatasaray
Anderlecht v Hoffenheim
Athletic Club v Viktoria Plzen
Braga v Lazio
Dynamo Kyiv v RFS
FCSB v UNITED
Ferencvaros v AZ
Lyon v Ludogorets
Maccabi Tel Aviv v FC Porto
Midtjylland v Fenerbahce
Nice v Bodo/Glimt
Olympiacos v Qarabag
Rangers v Union Saint-Gilloise
Real Sociedad v PAOK
Roma v Eintracht Frankfurt
Slavia Prague v Malmo
Tottenham v Elfsborg
Twente v Besiktas

All games kick off at 20:00 GMT on Thursday 30 January.

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