Manchester United secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Viktoria Plzen in a Europa League clash on Thursday, thanks to a brace from second-half substitute Rasmus Hojlund. The match, played on a chilly evening in Plzen, highlighted both the promise and the ongoing challenges facing United under their new manager, Ruben Amorim. Despite entering the game tied on points with Plzen, United struggled to find their rhythm in the first half, ultimately relying on the impact of their substitutes to turn the tide in their favor.
The first half saw a relatively cagey affair, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut opportunities. Manchester United enjoyed more possession but failed to translate it into meaningful attacks. Fernandes tested Plzen’s goalkeeper, Jedlicka, with a low drive, while Onana was called into action at the other end, watching Souare’s curling effort narrowly miss the target. The opening period ended goalless, setting the stage for a more dramatic second half.
Viktoria Plzen stunned United just three minutes after the restart, capitalizing on a rare error by goalkeeper Andre Onana. Onana’s misplaced pass inside the box was intercepted by Pavel Sulc, who promptly set up Matej Vydra for a simple tap-in. Vydra, a seasoned veteran of the English football leagues, made no mistake, giving the hosts a surprising lead and injecting a sense of urgency into the match.
The goal served as a catalyst for United manager Ruben Amorim, who responded with a triple substitution, introducing Rasmus Hojlund, among others, to the fray. This tactical switch proved to be a masterstroke, as Hojlund quickly made his presence felt. Just six minutes after coming on, he leveled the score, tapping in a deflected shot from Amad Diallo. The goal breathed new life into United and shifted the momentum back in their favor.
With the game hanging in the balance, Hojlund struck again two minutes from time, showcasing his clinical finishing ability. Captain Bruno Fernandes delivered a clever free-kick into the box, finding Hojlund, who expertly turned his marker before dispatching the ball past Jedlicka. The Danish striker’s brace secured a vital victory for United and underscored his potential to become a key figure for the club.
The win leaves Manchester United in a strong position to qualify directly for the last 16 of the Europa League. While Amorim expressed satisfaction with the result and the impact of his substitutes, he acknowledged the team’s need for improvement. The performance against Plzen, he noted, highlighted the ongoing work required to refine their playing style and develop the desired tempo. United’s next challenge will be a home game against Rangers, offering another opportunity to build momentum and demonstrate their progress under Amorim’s leadership.
