UEFA make official decisions ahead of FCSB v Man Utd and Man City v Club Brugge

Premier League heavyweights Manchester United and Manchester City are gearing up for a nail-biting final evening of action in their respective Europa League and Champions League campaigns as they look to secure their spot in the knockout phase of the competitions.

The Red Devils currently sit in fourth position in the Europa League and need to avoid defeat in the Romanian capital against FCSB to guarantee their place in the knockout phase of the competition. Ruben Amorim’s best hope of qualifying for the Champions League comes from trying to win this competition after a dismal first half of the season domestically.

Meanwhile, 2023 winners Manchester City sit way down in 25th position and need to pick up all three points against Belgian side Club Brugge to have any hopes of competing in the play-off stage of the competition. As it stands, Brugge are above Pep Guardiola’s side and a draw is likely to be enough to send them through to a two-legged play-off against the odds.

UEFA make key decision ahead of Man Utd vs FCSB

UEFA have confirmed that German official Harm Osmers will take charge of the Red Devils’ upcoming Europa League showdown with FCSB. Osmers is a 39-year-old referee that has over eight years of experience in the Bundesliga and a further five years in Germany’s second-tier.

The Bremen-born referee has been officiating in European competitions since making his debut in a game between Celtic and Stjarnan - and has overseen seven Europa League games over the course of his career.

He has taken charge of two Europa League games this season and is renowned for being strict after giving out 12 yellow cards across those two games. He has never previously refereed a United or FCSB game in his career.

The Red Devils have won three of their last four matches across all competitions with the most recent in Europe being a far from convincing 2-1 victory at home to Rangers in a match dubbed as the Battle of Britain.

UEFA confirm referee appointment for Man City vs Club Brugge

Experienced Spanish referee José María Sánchez has been placed in charge of Manchester City’s crunch European showdown with Club Brugge. The 41-year-old has a decade of experience as a referee in La Liga and over eight years as an official in European competitions.

He has taken charge of seven Champions League games in his career - including three this season. Over the course of his time in Europe, he has handed out 40 yellow cards and produced one red card.

Sanchez has refereed just one City game in his career, with the Sky Blues coming out 3-1 winners in Denmark against FC Copenhagen last season thanks to goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden.

Entering the game, three-time winner Pep Guardiola finds himself at risk of an early Champions League exit for the first time in his managerial career. However, he has added the likes of Omar Marmoush and Abdukodir Khusanov in a major January rebuild.

In other news, German champions Bayer Leverkusen are keen to pursue a deal for James McAtee.