United’s previous Romanian encounters

United’s previous Romanian encounters

Manchester United face FCSB for the first time on Thursday, after previously meeting three other Romanian sides.

Our trip to Bucharest in 2004 was to face Dinamo in a Champions League qualifier, and things started badly with Ionel Danciulescu opening the scoring after only 10 minutes, with some feeling Quinton Fortune put through his own net. However, Ryan Giggs equalised for the injury-hit Reds, before half-time, rounding keeper Vladimir Gaev.

Liam Miller, on his competitive debut for the club, sent in a dangerous cross that led to an own goal by Angelo Alistar, with 18 minutes left, to ensure a hard-fought away win. 

In the second leg, two weeks later, things were a lot more comfortable as Alan Smith netted twice in three second-half minutes and David Bellion completed a 3-0 triumph. All of this was to the backdrop of United submitting a bid to Everton for striker Wayne Rooney.

Watch footage from the games against Dinamo Bucharest and Otelul Gulati.

Seven years later, we faced Romanian opposition again in the shape of Otelul Galati, in the Champions League group stage. 

Rooney, by now established as a firm favourite in the frontline, scored both goals from the penalties. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side went ahead after Sergio Costin handled inside the box, and Rooney made no mistake from 12 yards.

Nemanja Vidic and Milan Perendija were sent off for separate incidents and Rooney wrapped it up with his second spot-kick.

It was the same 2-0 scoreline at Old Trafford, as Antonio Valencia provided an eighth-minute breakthrough, following a Phil Jones raid down the right. Although Rooney claimed the late second, it went down as an own goal by Cristian Sarghi.

Our most recent meetings with Romanian opponents came in October 2012, with Ferguson’s men not having things all our own way.

Pantelis Kapetanos fired past David De Gea to open the scoring but Robin van Persie levelled, just before the half-hour mark, by getting the decisive touch to a Rooney free-kick. The Dutchman, who had arrived in the summer from Arsenal, then flicked in the winner, from another Rooney assist.

However, the return game, at Old Trafford, ended in a shock 1-0 home loss. Luis Alberto’s second-half strike proved enough for the visitors but maybe our thoughts were on the upcoming derby with title rivals Manchester City, with top spot in the group, and qualification, already assured.

See highlights from United’s win at CFR Cluj, thanks to a Robin van Persie double.

United have never faced FCSB, or Steaua Bucharest before, but will be looking to seal a place in the round of 16 in the Europa League, at the National Arena in the capital.

All the fixtures kick off at 20:00 GMT (22:00 local time in Romania), with the standings set to constantly change over the course of the 90 minutes. If Ruben Amorim’s side avoid defeat, a top-eight spot looks almost certain, but it promises to be an exciting night across the continent. 

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