Viktoria Plzen vs Man Utd LIVE: Europa League result and reaction as Hojlund brace ensures win
Ruben Amorim’s side look to bounce back from consecutive defeats with an away clash in Europe
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Your support makes all the difference.Manchester United weathered another mistake from Andre Onana to complete a comeback victory over Viktoria Plzen to move closer to winning automatic qualification for the Europa League round of 16.
The first half in the Czech Republic has a lacklustre affair as United controlled possession but created little opportunities. In comparison the hosts looked sharp on the counter-attack and weren’t shy to shoot.
Plzen were then gifted the opening goal in the second half as Onana attempted to play out from back. The United goalkeeper gave up the ball and allowed Matej Vydra to tap in from close range.
Ruben Amorim switched things up almost immediately and brought on the substitutions. Mason Mount was a bright spark but Rasmus Hojlund changed the game. He got on the end of passes from Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes to equalise and then win the game late in the day.
Relive the Europa League action with our live blog below:
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man Utd
45 mins: Three minutes of added time to play. Marcus Rashford is forced to track back and shoves Lukas Cerv to the ground earning himself the booking.
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man Utd
42 mins: Cadu swings a deep cross into the box for the hosts but Diogo Dalot is there to nod the ball out of the box. Plzen keep the pressure on and Cheick Souare curls a fine effort wide of the far post.
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man Utd
39 mins: The good news for United is that Plzen look a bit toothless. Not through desire, as they’re trying to get the ball forward and put pressure on the defence, but in quality.
There are opportunities for the hosts to hurt United but they seem reluctant to take them.
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man Utd
36 mins: Marcus Rashford may just be the ultimate confidence player. When he’s on song he’s electric and fantastic to watch but when he’s not he looks lethargic and frustrated.
The reports that United are open to selling him won’t help but if he, and the team, can find a bit of form things could turnaround. They need a spark though, a bit of creativity and forward momentum.
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man Utd
33 mins: Andre Onana also seems to have shaken off his early wobbles. He wants to be assertive and dominating of his own penalty area but sometimes puts himself in terrible positions that negatively impact the team.
Can United push on from this more stable base and get the opening goal?
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man Utd
30 mins: Half an hour played and Man Utd are settling down, especially in their own final third. They’re starting to string together a spell and when space opens up they do look dangerous.
Zirkzee lays the ball off to the running Fernandes who carries it forward and shoots forcing a fine save out of Martin Jedlicka.
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man Utd
27 mins: Close! Amad Diallo wins a free kick that Bruno Fernandes floats into the box. Joshua Zirkzee wins the header and glances it on to the back post.
Casemiro is hovering and sticks out his foot but can’t reach the ball. If he had that would have certainly snuck into the back of the net.
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man Utd
24 mins: Man Utd are starting to pass the ball around nicely but Plzen are well drilled and have plenty of men behind the ball. United are struggling to put something together in the final third and don’t look confident to take any risks.
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man Utd
21 mins: Matej Vydra and Pavel Sulc combine after bringing down an aerial ball. Vydra’s cutback is cut out and United transition quickly into a counter-attack.
Amad, Fernandes and Rashford drive forward with the captain slipping Rashford into the left side of the box. Rashford tries to cross but scuffs the ball out of play.
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man Utd
18 mins: Again United are so sloppy on the edge of the penalty area. Noussair Mazraoui tries to carry the ball out from the back but runs into trouble and the visitors lose possession.
Plzen resort to shooting from range and spooning the effort high and wide but Ruben Amorim won’t be pleased with this start. On another night, United would already have been punished.
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