Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo emulated all-time Red Devils great Wayne Rooney in Thursday's 2-0 Europa League triumph over FCSB.
Ruben Amorim's men ensured themselves of a place in the last 16 by downing their foes in Bucharest, where Diogo Dalot drew first blood before Mainoo added the cherry on top.
After Dalot had struck the opener on the hour mark, Mainoo made sure of the points for the Red Devils just eight minutes later, clinically finishing with a first-time strike from Alejandro Garnacho's low cross.
The England international also registered the assist for Dalot's strike, playing a crisp ball to the far post where the unmarked Portuguese was waiting, thereby achieving a feat no Man United player had managed in over 20 years.
Rather remarkably, Thursday's game marked Mainoo's first-ever European start for Man United, having only made two substitute appearances earlier in the league phase while coming off the bench twice in the Champions League last season.
Mainoo matches Rooney feat with goal and assist against FCSB
Kobbie Mainoo with a smooth finish to extend Man United's lead 😮💨
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 30, 2025
He has a goal and assist in his first start in attacking midfield under Ruben Amorim 👏
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/85JM9aoSCd
The 19-year-old is now the first Man United player to score and assist on their first major European start since a teenage Rooney, who did so against Fenerbahce in the Champions League in 2004.
Mainoo's contributions on Thursday evening were also his first direct goal involvements of the season, having failed to score or assist in his first 22 appearances of the 2024-25 campaign.
After playing a shining role at Euro 2024, the England international has largely struggled to set the world alight in his first few months of the 2024-25 season, but he put in one of his finest performances of the term yet in Bucharest.
Thanks to Mainoo's display, Man United finished third in the league phase on a respectable 18 points and will meet one of AZ Alkmaar, Galatasaray, Real Sociedad or FC Midtjylland in the last 16.
The Red Devils now have a Premier League encounter with Crystal Palace to look forward to on Sunday, as they endeavour to improve on their meagre 12th-placed ranking in the standings.
Ben Knapton
