On Thursday, Manchester United advanced smoothly to the Europa League knockout stages. Goals from Diogo Dalot and Kobbie Mainoo enabled the Premier League team to secure a 2 - 0 win over Steaua Bucharest.

Before their journey to Romania, United was aware that a victory would ensure them a top - eight position in the league phase of the revamped Europa League. However, in the lackluster first half, the visiting team had great difficulty in creating any significant goal - scoring opportunities.

In the second half, the introduction of substitutes Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo injected new energy into Ruben Amorim's side. Dalot put United ahead on the 60 - minute mark with a simple tap - in.

Mainoo's smart finish eight minutes later killed off the hosts' chances of claiming a major scalp, helping United to finish third in the standings, while the defeat meant Steaua must beat PAOK or Stuttgart in a playoff to reach the last 16.

United came into their trip to Romania unbeaten in their previous 12 group or league phase matches in the Europa League.

It appeared that record may be under threat as the hosts looked the more likely to score early on.

Mihai Popescu on the stretch somehow contrived to miss from close range from the first half's most promising opening.

After the break, United's changes helped them seal a comfortable success.

Mainoo squared for Dalot after a well-worked United move, before Garnacho set up Mainoo perfectly for the game-clinching second.

Amorim became only the second Manchester United manager to win his first four major European matches in charge, after Alex Ferguson in 1990. The manner of that latest victory, after a chaotic first few months in charge, will be welcome boost for the team.