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
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 1-1 Man Utd
78 mins: Save!
United should be ahead. Amad Diallo makes the opportunity with another fine run from the right. He sends the ball into the box and picks out Mason Mount.
Mount goes for power and strikes a low effort as Jedlicka commits. The goalkeeper lunges at the ball and manages to keep it out!
Viktoria Plzen 1-1 Man Utd
75 mins: Bruno Fernandes tries to force a shot through the back-tracking Plzen defence but get squeeze it through. The shot is blocked and bounces free to Antony whose own effort is dispatched high and wide.
Viktoria Plzen 1-1 Man Utd
73 mins: Matej Vydra almost has a second for Plzen. The cross comes in from the right and the goalscorer takes the ball down the hooks it just wide.
This game isn’t done. There’ll be at least one more goal.
Viktoria Plzen 1-1 Man Utd
72 mins: Chance! Noussair Mazraoui wins back possession on the edge of his own box and passes it away to kick on a counter-attack.
Mason Mount sends it over to Diogo Dalot who feeds Bruno Fernandes out to the left wing. Fernandes sends in a low cross to the near post and a lunging Rasmus Hojlund just can’t get a touch on the ball to turn it home.
Viktoria Plzen 1-1 Man Utd
69 mins: De Ligt receives the ball from the corner and nods it towards goal. All the United players appeal for handball as the shot is blocked but the referee waves it away.
It does look as though the ball hit a hand but United aren’t getting the penalty they want.
Viktoria Plzen 1-1 Man Utd
68 mins: Rasmus Hojlund receives the ball inside the penalty area and looks to spin. He’s sandwiched and goes down hoping for a penalty that doesn’t come.
Mason Mount then makes a run into the right side of the box but a sliding tackle from Svetozar Markovic toes the ball out for a corner.
Viktoria Plzen 1-1 Man Utd
66 mins: That equaliser could have a multiplying effect for Man Utd. Plzen were overjoyed when they went in front and could possible be slightly demoralised after the equaliser.
Diogo Dalot receives the ball out on the left side and cuts inwards. He wants to shoot but misses the ball after slipping before taking the shot.
GOAL! Viktoria Plzen 1-1 Man Utd (Rasmus Hojlund, 62’)
Equaliser!
Antony starts the move and feeds Amad Diallo out on the right wing. Amad takes up the ball and drives into the box before taking a shot.
The ball deflects into the path of Rasmus Hojlund who taps it home. Game on.
Viktoria Plzen 1-0 Man Utd
61 mins: Two more changes for Man Utd. Mason Mount and Antony come on with Joshua Zirkzee and Tyell Malacia taken off. Will United be more of a threat now?
Viktoria Plzen 1-0 Man Utd
60 mins: There’s been no reaction at all from Man Utd. No desire or urgency to get the equaliser, a lack of tempo is killing United and was a frequent criticism throughout Erik ten Hag’s era.
Plzen give up the ball as Pavel Sulc feeds it to Rasmus Hojlund. Hojlund carries the ball to the box, checks to the left then shoots and picks out the goalkeeper.
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