Manchester United travel to the Czech Republic to face Viktoria Plzen in tonight’s Europa League action hoping to respond to two consecutive defeats under Ruben Amorim.
After a promising start to his tenure, the Red Devils suffered back-to-back Premier League defeats to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest leaving the Portuguese boss facing his first dip in form. But Amorim will be confident, especially about improving United’s standing in the Europa League despite the clube being embroiled in off-field drama.
Consecutive wins over PAOK and Bodo/Glimt have sent the team up to 12th in the league table and they are only two points away from fourth with a realistic chance of securing automatic promotion.
Their opponents tonight have an identical record to United with two wins and three draws from their first five games and sit one place below Amorim’s side meaning they would jump ahead of United should they triumph.
Follow all the Europa League action with our live blog below:
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?
Mike Jones12 December 2024 19:05
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.
Mike Jones12 December 2024 19:03
Viktoria Plzen 1-0 Man Utd
57 mins: Ruben Amorim does respond with a change. Rasmus Hojlund comes on to replace Marcus Rashford. Rashford was on yellow card and had just escaped a second booking for a wild tackle.
He’s also not had much of an effect on the game. What can Hojlund muster up?
Mike Jones12 December 2024 18:59
Viktoria Plzen 1-0 Man Utd
54 mins: United have done well to get possession but now they need more attacking flair. That may only come with substitutions but Amorim will also have the Manchester derby on the back of his mind.
His first aim needs to be turning this game around.
Mike Jones12 December 2024 18:56
Viktoria Plzen 1-0 Man Utd
51 mins: That goal caps off another poor performance from Andre Onana. He was shaky in the first half and is now at fault for the goal. That also comes after giving away goals against Nottingham Forest in United’s previous game.
What will Ruben Amorim be thinking now?
Mike Jones12 December 2024 18:55
GOAL! Viktoria Plzen 1-0 Man Utd (Matej Vyrda, 48’)
Andre Onana gifts another goal away. He passes the ball to Pavel Sulc as Plzen press up the pitch. Sulc squares a pass into the Matej Vydra who taps it into the open goal.
Mike Jones12 December 2024 18:52
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man Utd
48 mins: Lukas Kalvach drills a shot from range and hits teammate Daniel Vasulin on the edge of the box. There’s been no changes in personnel at the break.
Mike Jones12 December 2024 18:50
Second half! Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man Utd
Viktoria Plzen get the ball rolling again. They launch it forward and Lisandro Martinez heads the ball away.
Mike Jones12 December 2024 18:48
HT Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man Utd
Viktoria Plzen were last beaten at home in Europe by Barcelona, two years ago. They’re stubborn customers but United need to do more to upset their rhythm and put pressure on the defenders.
What words of wisdom will Ruben Amorim have for the second half?
Mike Jones12 December 2024 18:45
HT Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man Utd
Manchester Unitedhad 71% possession in the first half and didn’t do anything with it. They created three shots with two of them on target.
In contrast, Plzen had eight attempts at goal though only one of theirs troubled Andre Onana. Not the best half of football.
Mike Jones12 December 2024 18:41
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