A club of Manchester United’s stature should be good enough to win the Europa League, to conquer some of the continent’s weaker, less affluent rivals and give Ruben Amorim a major trophy in his first season.

Manchester United cruised through to the Europa League knockout stages after goals from Diogo Dalot and Kobbie Mainoo earned the Premier League side a 2-0 victory over Steaua Bucharest on Thursday. Coming into their trip to Romania,

The league phase of the Europa League has come to a close with Lazio topping the table on goal difference despite losing 1-0 to Braga on the final day of play. Tottenham and Manchester United have finished in the top eight to make it to the last 16 despite disappointing Premier League form while Rangers and Olympiacos were able to sneak into the top eight on the final day of this phase of play.

Manchester United, unbeaten in eight games in the tournament, finished in third place and Tottenham came fourth, ensuring the Premier League clubs both avoided the Europa League play-off round.

Manchester United, Tottenham and Rangers have all learned who they could play in the next stage of the Europa League following the conclusion of the league phase. United and Tottenham both started the gameweek within the top-eight and made sure of their automatic progression to the last 16 by winning their respective games on Thursday evening.

Manchester United cruised through to the Europa League knockout stages after goals from Diogo Dalot and Kobbie Mainoo earned the Premier League side a 2-0 victory over Steaua Bucharest on Thursday.

Manchester United and Tottenham put their inconsistent domestic campaigns aside and advanced to Europa League round of 16 on Thursday. Diogo Dalot tapped in a precise cross by Kobbie Mainoo on the hour mark and Mainoo netted eight minutes later for a 2-0 victory over Romanian champion FCSB in Bucharest.

United looked more threatening and took the lead when Mainoo squared for Dalot. Daniel Birligea almost levelled when he smashed the ball against the bar from distance before Mainoo scored United’s second eight minutes after his assist.