Viktoria Plzen 1, Manchester United 2 (UEFA Europa League)
Rasmus Hojlund came off the bench to score a brace as Manchester United came from behind to beat Viktoria Plzen.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Dane’s double strike means he has netted five in this competition alone as United lifted themselves into the top 8 of the Europa League and an automatic ticket into the last 16.
Despite the five changes from the defeat to Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford last weekend it was another inauspicious start for the Reds.
Noussair Mazraoui, Casemiro, Tyrell Malacia, Marcus Rashford, and Joshua Zirkzee started the game while Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho, and Rasmus Hojlund were rested.
A dire first half in the Czech Republic became worse just three minutes into the second half after a horrendous mistake by Andre Onana while trying to play out from the back.
His telegraphed pass out to Mathijs De Ligt was intercepted by Pavel Sulc who squared the ball for well travelled striker Matej Vydra – a former Watford and Burnley player – who had a tap in from close range.
The Cameroonian’s blushes were spared when Reds boss Ruben Amorim rang the changes and Hojlund won the game after coming on as a substitute.
Amad Diallo’s shot was blocked but Hojlund tucked away the rebound from close range to level the scores after 62 minutes after good work from Antony.
And United won it with 2 minutes to spare when he ran on to Bruno Fernandes’ pass to complete the comeback.
Recording only their second away win of the season was perfect timing just ahead of Sunday’s Manchester Derby at the Etihad Stadium – United won’t have a better chance to beat their ailing cross town rivals but will be fully aware of their own shaky form going into a tough run of games against City, Spurs, and Bournemouth over the festive period.