Sir Jim Ratcliffe's colleague knight Dave Brailsford knows everything about marginal profit. This was about as marginal as it gets.
It is true that the Manchester United team of Ruben Amorim until the last 16 is after what was a comfortable victory in Bucharest.
This avoids a difficult two-legged play-off and gives the Portuguese boss more time on the training field to penetrate his ideas.
But ironically, although United is the only club that is still unbeaten in the Europa League of Champions League this season, the victory in Romania could mean that they are then confronted with stiffer opposition.
The Red Devils will now be confronted with one team from the real Sociedad, Galatasaray, AZ Alkmaar and Midtjylland.
On the other hand, it would have been FCSB, Ajax, Union Saint -Gilloise or Paok – United had not won.
But at least, thanks to the opener of Diogo Dalot and a sensational second from Kobbie Mainoo within nine second half minutes, United is now moving forward.
Once the small achievement of avoiding a play-off to reach the knockout phase of Europe's second row of tournament, would not have been a problem.
But this was very bad for the Old Trafford Boss and the Ineos-Hierarchy owner Ratcliffe and his No. 2 Brailsford.
But to that dynamic double, the Amorim team only underlined how much work he still has to do, regardless of that it was a third consecutive victory this season for the first time.
The club is still working on bringing in Lecce Wing Patrick Dorgu with a deal that is not expected to continue at least 24 hours.
But a striker who actually scores goals must be the priority this summer, although the strike of Dalot Calmed led at least a considerable final.
Yet United, for all the “worst” misery of Amorim, without a prem title in what will be a dozen seasons, still have attraction, especially in the outlands of Europe.
This collision took place in the National Stadium of Romania, capacity 55,000 and well packaged in contrast to their own Ghenceea Stadium of their opponents that contains that number and where they place less controversial competitions.
Not that Amorim's white-dressed side shows some resemblance with the glory days of the past, a lot of them really struggling alone and sometimes even pluckers. They could also have been behind within 11 minutes.
Amorim let his coaches work with the team on set for 20 minutes, but when three opponents thundered forward in a row to meet a free kick, the defensive reaction was zero.
Mihai Popescu met the ball less than ten meters, but from a large, central position there was some way to squeeze his shot wide.
Christian Eriksen and Mainoo produced weak attempts to bring the keeper into trouble and then blew the midfielder of the house and the perfect opportunity to put United first.
Rasmus Hojlund ran along the left flank, his pace took him away from his marker and the delivery could not have been better.
Yet Mainoo, back in the side as one of the four changes, completely lost his head. No wonder he kept it a fraction of a fraction later in disbelief when the ball arrived high in the stands.
The entire FCSB team cost a total of £ 32 million and previously lost 4-0 to Rangers in Glasgow. Amorim's Startlijn – only £ 267.5 million was worth, but that Mainoo Miss -APart, they were anxious and were dictated.
The only attacker who thrives since the Portuguese Erik ten Hag – Amad Diallo – was on the couch along with the physical presence of Manuel Ugarte and Harry Magire.
The side was certainly well aware of how important this collision was, but there was only hesitation and often indecision in contrast to a set of players trying to beat a team that was second in one of the least powerful competitions on the continent.
And in the 30th minute another nice chance – and another effort that spoke volumes of a lack of cold – the determination.
This time it fell for Hojlund and he barely blinked Stefan Tarnovanu.
Lisandro Martinez unpacked the striker with a peach of a chip, right on his head. The result was weak, straight to the keeper who easily grabbed it.
Again we looked at a desperate Dane that cost £ 64 million and only scored in five of his 29 performances this season.
Everyone knows that Amorim Marcus Rashford will not sniff.
Hojlund is not the only wrestling striker because £ 36.5 million summer arrival Joshua Zirkzee only scored in three of his last 34 performances this season, so no wonder that the United Boss left him on the bench again.
The Portuguese secretly hope that the lost boy of Old Trafford will find his way from Manchester this transfer window.
Nevertheless, United should have been just over a minute after the break after a defensive blunder Alejandro left Garnacho Clear.
He had only just replaced Toby Collyer and suddenly found himself with a gift, but his shot cut the outside of a pole.
Dalot did a lot better after Bruno Fernandes had hit a screamer who hit the bar.
United responded the fastest and Mainoo, so quiet and not effective for the past 59 minutes, delivered a cross with which the Portuguse defender connected.
Suddenly the nerves and tension had disappeared and eight minutes later Mainoo produced a murderous blow.
He won the ball 30 meters, shot him on Garnacho and then continued to meet the return and the side stylishly.
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