Man United have have won all three previous visits to Romania, beating Dinamo București in 2004, Oțelul Galați in 2011 and CFR Cluj a year later. Steaua have lost 13 of their 22 previous meetings with English clubs, most-recently smashed 3-0 by West Ham in Bucharest a little over two years ago.
Steaua Bucharest vs Manchester United Preview
Will Manchester United rubber stamp their spot in the Europa League round of 16? Ahead of the final matchday, the Red Devils kick off fourth in the gigantic league table, almost certain to finish in the top eight, albeit only a victory in the Romanian capital mathematically makes sure. Last Thursday, Man United made it four successive victories in this competition, one of just three sides yet to taste defeat, requiring a stoppage time winner from Bruno Fernandes to down Rangers at a raucous Old Trafford. They've previously enjoyed victories over PAOK, Bodø/Glimt and Viktoria Plzeň, so are in pole position to reach the last 16.
At the weekend, Rúben Amorim's team then claimed a much-needed Premier League victory. To say it wasn't a classic would be an understatement, but the Red Devils got the job done at Craven Cottage, beating Fulham 1-0, with Lisandro Martínez's deflected long-range strike late on, that was their only shot on target of the night, snatching victory. So now, can Man United make it three wins on the spin in all competitions, achieving that for the first time all season?
As for the hosts, you may know them as Steaua București, a club who were European champions 39 years ago, beating Barcelona on penalties in the European Cup Final back then. Nowadays, they must legally be known as FCSB, and are struggling to rekindle former glories, most-recently featuring in the Champions League in 2013, with this the first time they've qualified for the Europa League group stages in seven years, coming through four rounds of qualifying, meaning this'll be their 16th continental fixture of the campaign already. However, their adventure will not end here, because Elias Charalambous' side are currently eighth in the table, just a point below their significantly more illustrious visitors, guaranteed a knockout phase spot, but seeking to remain in the top eight.
The Red and Blues' sole league phase defeat was a 4-0 hammering at Ibrox, but they've enjoyed victories over RFS, PAOK, Midtjylland and, most-recently, Qarabağ, with Adrian Șut the scorer of a brace in Baku a week ago. Domestically, FCSB are joint-top of Romania's top-flight, level on points with Universitatea Cluj, following Sunday's 1-0 victory at UTA Arad, aiming to retain the title. In Europe meantime, Steaua have lost just one of their last nine matches in Bucharest, so can they spring a major surprise when Man United visit a packed-out Arena Națională?
Steaua Bucharest vs Manchester United Head-to-Head Record
These two clubs have never previously met.
Steaua Bucharest Team News
Club captain Darius Olaru is sidelined due to a shoulder injury, while fellow-midfielders Mihai Lixandru and Octavian Popescu are also sidelined. Elias Charalampous made seven changes for the weekend league match, presumably with this clash in mind, largely expected to revert to the side that beat Qarabağ a week ago. Goalkeeper Ștefan Târnovanu, as well as Valentin Crețu and Florin Tănase, are all one booking away from a ban.
Steaua Bucharest predicted lineup vs Manchester United: (4-2-3-1): Târnovanu; Crețu, Ngezana, Dawa, Radunović; Șut, Alhassan, Tănase, Ștefănescu, Miculescu; Bîrligea.
Steaua Bucharest Player to Watch vs Manchester United
David Miculescu has nine goals to his name this season, five of which have come in UEFA competition, beginning with a brace during FCSB's first European match of this extremely long campaign, a 7-1 hammering of Virtus in San Marino on 9 July, the same day Spain beat France in the semi-finals of the Euros.
Manchester United Team News
Rúben Amorim made five changes at Craven Cottage on Sunday night, and will continue to rotate, with Altay Bayındır back in goal for this competition. Youngster Toby Collyer made a goal-line clearance at the death against Fulham, and is likely to start in midfield, as he did so impressively against Rangers. Leny Yoro, Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee are also likely to come back in while, having been an unused substitute in West London, Victor Lindelöf is hoping to feature for the first time since mid-December following a groin injury. Luke Shaw, Jonny Evans and Mason Mount remain sidelined, while the two players a booking away from suspension, Casemiro and Marcus Rashford, are once again both unlikely to feature, with Amorim particularly critical of Rashford at the weekend, saying he'd rather put 63-year-old goalkeeper coach Jorge Vital on the bench than a player that doesn't show effort in training.
Manchester United predicted lineup vs Steaua Bucharest: (3-4-2-1): Bayındır; Yoro, Maguire, Martínez; Amad, Collyer, Mainoo, Malacia; Fernandes, Garnacho, Zirkzee.
Manchester United Player to Watch vs Steaua Bucharest
Bruno Fernandes scored his ninth of the season to snatch victory over Rangers, continuing his excellent scoring record in this competition, with that his 21st in the Europa League, a tally only bettered by eight men since the tournament's rebrand in 2009.
Steaua Bucharest vs Manchester United Prediction
We are backing Man United for victory at Arena Națională. Despite FCSB's lofty league position, they've not beaten anyone of the Red Devils' stature to date, so we can see Rúben Amorim's side collecting a fifth straight Europa League victory: Steaua Bucharest 1-2 Manchester United.
Steaua Bucharest vs Manchester United FAQs - Europa League
How to watch Steaua Bucharest vs Manchester United Europa League game on TV channel?
Steaua Bucharest vs Manchester United Europa League game will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: TNT Sports 1
- USA: Paramount+ & ViX
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Steaua Bucharest vs Manchester United Europa League game on live streaming?
Steaua Bucharest vs Manchester United Europa League game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Discovery+
- USA: Paramount+.
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Steaua Bucharest vs Manchester United in the Europa League?
Steaua Bucharest vs Manchester United takes place on Thursday 30 January 2025, with kick off at 20:00 (GMT), 15:00 (EDT) & 12:00 (PST).