Pilsen 1 – 2 Man Utd

Rasmus Hojlund came off the bench to guide Manchester United to a 2-1 victory over Viktoria Plzen and ensure Ruben Amorim’s run of successive defeats came to an end in the Czech Republic.

For much of Thursday night’s contest, played in freezing conditions in Bohemia, United appeared to be staring at the prospect of a first European defeat of the season after former Burnley striker Matej Vydra pounced on a terrible mistake from Andre Onana to give hosts the lead (48).

Amorim looked at his substitutes and called on Hojlund for the disappointing Marcus Rashford, and the Dane hit immediately, producing a poached finish after good work from Amad Diallo within six minutes of coming on (62).

Matej Vydra takes advantage of a mistake from Andre Onana
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Matej Vydra takes advantage of a mistake from Andre Onana

Player ratings

Pilsen: Jedlicka (6), Dweh (7), Markovic (7), Jemelka (6), Cadu (6), Cerv (7), Kalvach (6), Souare (6), Vydra (7), Sulc (7), Vasulin (5).

Used subs: Sojka (n/a), Havel (n/a), Prince Adu (6).

Man Utd: Onana (4), Mazraoui (6), De Ligt (5), Martinez (7), Dalot (6), Fernandes (7), Casemiro (6), Malacia (6), Amad (8), Rashford (4) , Zirkzee (5).

Used subs: Mount (7), Højlund (8), Garnacho (n/a), Antony (7), Ugarte (n/a).

Player of the match: Rasmus Højlund.

Not content with a point, United turned the game around two minutes before half-time when a disguised Bruno Fernandes free-kick allowed Hojlund to spin and fire past Plzen goalkeeper Martin Jedlicka to propel United up to fifth in the Europa League table.

Amorim’s side remain unbeaten after six games – winning three of them – while Plzen drop to 15th after their first defeat ahead of Thursday’s remaining fixtures.

Temporary workers make the difference in Pilsen

Manchester United's Rasmus Hojlund, right, celebrates after scoring his team's opening goal during the Europa League soccer match between Viktoria Plzen and Manchester United at Doosan Arena in Plzen, Czech Republic, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
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Rasmus Højlund celebrates his equalizer in Bohemia

Sky Sports’ Ben Grounds:

The Plzen players fell to the floor at the final whistle. They knew that a chance had escaped their grasp. United became the first team since Barcelona two years ago to win here in Europe.

Man Utd team news

  • Ruben Amorim made five changes from the last time-out in this competition, the 3-2 home win against Bodo/Glimt. It was a completely different front three from matchweek five, with Amad, Rashford and Zirkzee coming in for Garnacho, Hojlund and Mount, who all dropped to the bench.

That meant they jumped up to fifth in the Europa League – and they did so thanks to the changes Amorim made and the goals Hojlund scored.

A crown for the mind of Rashford, who labored for almost an hour and depended on a booking, protected for his own good. His departure from Old Trafford looks more likely every day.

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana reacts during the Europa League soccer match between Viktoria Plzen and Manchester United at Doosan Arena in Plzen, Czech Republic, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
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Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana reacts during the Europa League soccer match between Viktoria Plzen and Manchester United at Doosan Arena in Plzen, Czech Republic, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Hojlund had to take his chance, but so did Mason Mount and Antony in their encouraging cameos. Onana’s blushes were spared, but once the dust settles on this run to victory, there will be fresh scrutiny of the United goalkeeper’s decision-making.

Manchester United's Marcus Rashford reacts during the Europa League soccer match between Viktoria Plzen and Manchester United at Doosan Arena in Plzen, Czech Republic, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
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Marcus Rashford was hauled off as United lost

His attempted pass to Matthijs de Ligt was a gift which was gobbled up by Vydra, who had been served up by Pavel Sulc’s pass.

Hojlund’s influence was just what Amorim needed ahead of the Manchester derby and with games against Rangers at home and away at Steaua Bucharest, it gives them a great chance of securing a top-eight finish.

The people of Pilsen were so happy to have United in town that they even brewed a special beer to celebrate the occasion.

But it is United who will be toasting their first win away from home in Europe since March 2023.

Record Stats – Never-say-die United

Ruben Amorim cuts a frustrated figure in Plzen
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Ruben Amorim became only the third Manchester United manager to win both of his first two games in major European competitions in charge of the club, after Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson

  • No team in the Europa League has picked up more points from lost positions than Manchester United this season (7).
  • Tonight’s defeat ended Viktoria Plzen’s 12-game unbeaten run at home in European competition (including qualifiers), with Manchester United the first team to beat the Czech club at home since Barcelona in November 2022.
  • Bruno Fernandes’ assist for Rasmus Hojlund’s winning goal was the seventh chance he created in this game against Viktoria Plzen – the third time he has created 7+ chances in a major European game for Man Utd, with no other player on record (from 2003) /04) even does it once for the Red Devils.

The history of the match in statistics

What’s happening in the Europa League?