FCSB vs Manchester United Prediction: Unbeaten United set for last 16

Manchester United travel to Romania on Thursday night (20:00, live on TNT Sports 1) to face FCSB, hoping to secure an automatic place in the last 16 of the Europa League.

The hosts are only a point behind United in the standings, having picked up 14 from their seven matches in this season's competition. Read on for my FCSB vs Manchester United prediction, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

Football Odds

Team News

Mihai Lixandru, Octavian Popescu and Darius Olaru look set to miss out on Thursday's tie, although Vlad Chiriches could make his return here despite missing the last three matches for the hosts.

United will travel to Romania without the services of Luke Shaw, Jonny Evans and Mason Mount, while Manuel Ugarte will be assessed ahead of kick-off after sustaining a knock in the closing stages of the win at Fulham.

Leny Yoro and Tyrell Malacia were substitutes at the weekend, so they may be given starting roles here if Ruben Amorim wishes to rotate his squad.

Marcus Rashford's future at Old Trafford remains unclear so he's not expected to be involved, and Joshua Zirkzee could be given the nod up top after Rasmus Hojlund struggled to make an impact at Craven Cottage on Sunday night.

FCSB vs Manchester United Odds

United are 8/13 favourites, which gives them an implied win probability of 61.9%, and FCSB can be backed at 9/2, with the draw 3/1.

Zirkzee leads the anytime market at 6/4, while Daniel Birligea is shortest-priced for the hosts at 3/1.

Draw and both teams to score - yes @ 4/1

A win at Craven Cottage on Sunday marked United's third win in four games, but performances from Amorim's side have continued to underwhelm fans.

United required a deflected Lisandro Martinez goal to beat Fulham, an injury-time winner against Rangers last week, and an eight-minute hat-trick from Amad Diallo to beat rock-bottom Southampton earlier this month.

The Red Devils are unbeaten in this season's Europa League however, and have a two-point cushion over ninth-placed Galatasaray, meaning that their last 16 qualification fate is in their own hands.

FCSB have been one of the surprise packages of this competition, and they find themselves in contention to qualify for the next round, as they currently sit eighth in the standings. Securing a famous victory over Amorim's men would cement their place in the top eight, but either a draw or defeat could see them slip into the play-off round.

In terms of a match result, I think the draw looks appealing, as two of United’s three Europa League away games have ended as stalemates, including a 1-1 stalemate at Fenerbahce, while FCSB have drawn two of their last three matches in Europe.

In addition, United remain far too unpredictable - they struggle to score and always look likely to concede, in my opinion. In the Europa League, they've scored 14 and conceded nine, keeping a clean sheet just once in seven games.

In all competitions, the Red Devils have shut out their opponents just once in their last 14, while Thursday’s foes have netted 10 goals in their seven Europa League fixtures, meaning that both teams look likely to find the net here.

Bruno Fernandes to score anytime @ 2/1

In the last six games that United have scored in, just three of their players have been on the scoresheet - Amad Diallo, Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez.

United captain Fernandes has certainly led by example in recent weeks, scoring three times in his last five appearances for the club including the late winner against Rangers on matchday seven.

However, just one of his nine goals has come in this competition, and with United's other forwards struggling to fire on all cylinders consistently, the goalscoring void could be left for Fernandes to fill once again on Thursday.

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