FCSB vs Manchester United predicted lineups: Confirmed team news + possible XIs

Manchester United are looking to continue their undefeated run in the 2024-25 Europa League group phase when they face FCSB at the Arena Nationala.

The game is being shown live on TNT Sports 1, kicking off at 8pm (UK time).

FCSB vs Manchester United predicted lineups

FCSB (4-2-3-1): Tarnovanu; Cretu, Ngezana, Dawa, Radunovic; Alhassan, Sut; Stefanescu, Tanase, Miculescu; Birligea

Manchester United (3-4-2-1): Bayindir; Yoro, Maguire, Martinez; Dalot, Mainoo, Casemiro, Malacia; Fernandes, Amad; Hojlund

FCSB vs Manchester United team news

FCSB seek a win to bypass the playoff phase and secure automatic qualification to the Europa League round of 16. However, the Romanian champions will be three men short for their final group-phase game.

Mixhai Lixandru and Darius Olaru are both expected to be sidelined until April, the former rupturing his ACL in October and the latter a suffering shoulder injury earlier this month. Octavian Popescu has also been dealing with a long-term issue and will likely recover by early February. The Romanian winger has not featured for FCSB since November.

Meanwhile, in the visiting dugout, Ruben Amorim’s side could be without four players for their trip to Bucharest.

Last week, it was revealed that Luke Shaw will join his United team-mates in training soon but is still unavailable.

Mason Mount suffered a thigh injury last month and is expected to be out for a long time, according to the Portuguese boss.

Jonny Evans had an issue in training a couple of weeks ago and will not be back until February, while Manuel Ugarte is a doubt for the game after being forced off with a knock against Fulham on the weekend.

Man United’s difference-maker in Europe

Rasmus Hojlund is the joint-top goalscorer in the Europa League this season, netting five times in seven games.

His 67 minutes per goal and 42% conversion rate puts him among the competition’s best, as the No 9 has proved that he is United’s man to step up in Europe for the second straight season.

Last campaign saw him top the Champions League top scorer chart in the group phase with five goals, despite United’s bottom-place finish in Group A.

Meanwhile, Joshua Zirkzee is goalless in his seven Europa League appearances this season and has netted just once in his last 14 games in all competitions.

Since Amorim took over at the start of November, Hojlund has started 12 games, twice as many as his teammate. However, in the three Europa League games since, Zirkzee has been preferred twice over the Dane.

Of late the Red Devils’ starting striker spot seems to be a coin toss between the two, but Hojlund’s track record in continental competitions may give him the nod up front on Thursday night.