- Manchester United staged a thrilling 2-1 comeback win against Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League, with Rasmus Hojlund scoring twice
- Andre Onana's costly mistake gifted Viktoria Plzen the lead, but Hojlund's second-half goals turned the tide for United
- Manager Ruben Amorim praised the team’s resilience but acknowledged the need for better performances ahead of their Manchester City clash
Premier League side Manchester United pulled off a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory against Viktoria Plzen in their UEFA Europa League clash, thanks to Rasmus Hojlund's display.
The Danish forward came off the bench to score twice and spare goalkeeper Andre Onana’s blushes after his error gifted the hosts the lead. Despite the win, manager Ruben Amorim admitted there was room for improvement.
The first half was largely uneventful, with the Red Devils dominating possession but struggling to create meaningful chances. Bruno Fernandes came closest with a powerful 25-yard strike, but the Viktoria Plzen goalkeeper made an impressive save. As the half ended goalless, frustrations mounted for United, who needed a win to solidify their place in the league phase.
The game came to life early in the second half when Andre Onana’s attempted pass in his own box went horribly wrong. Matej Vydra, a former Watford and Burnley striker, capitalised on the mistake, slotting the ball into an empty net to give the Czech side a surprise lead.
Ruben Amorim quickly responded with three substitutions, including the introduction of Rasmus Hojlund, who proved to be the game-changer. The 20-year-old forward levelled the score in the 62nd minute, converting Amad Diallo’s deflected cross-shot with a sharp touch inside the box.
From that point on, United dominated the play even better, pinning Viktoria Plzen in their half. As the clock ticked toward full time, Fernandes delivered a clever free-kick that Hojlund rifled into the net, sealing the win for the visitors in the 88th minute.
Speaking after the game, Ruben Amorim praised the team’s work rate but admitted the performance left much to be desired,
“We controlled the first half without creating great chances. The pitch made it hard to connect with the strikers, we gave a goal away, but we reacted well. A win always makes preparation for the next game easier.”
The victory marked United’s third win in six Europa League matches, keeping them within reach of a top-eight finish. The focus now shifts to Sunday’s Premier League showdown against Manchester City, where United will look to carry their winning momentum into the heated derby.
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Manchester United confirmed his exit in a statement, citing “mutual agreement” as the reason. The club expressed gratitude for Ashworth’s contributions during what they described as a “transitional period” and wished him success in his future endeavours.