Manchester United’s Rasmus Hojlund celebrates scoring their second aim with teammates in opposition to Viktoria Plzen on December 12, 2024. — Reuters
Rasmus Hojlund scored twice to assist Manchester United safe a 2-1 victory in opposition to six-time Czech champions Viktoria Plzeň within the Europa League on Thursday.
Substitute Hojlund wanted simply six minutes on the pitch to cancel out an early second-half opener by Plzen ahead Matej Vydra earlier than sealing the win with one other strike simply earlier than fulltime for United’s third consecutive win within the competitors.
United, who stay unbeaten after six video games, provisionally moved as much as fifth within the standings on 12 factors as they proceed to eye up an computerized qualification spot into the final 16.
Approaching the again of two Premier League defeats in opposition to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest, United survived an preliminary spell of strain from the hosts, who had conceded simply as soon as of their earlier 12 European house video games.
Plzen stored their defence compact in opposition to the decided guests in Ruben Amorim’s first European away sport as United boss, and the sport was goalless on the break.
Vydra put the hosts in entrance simply after the restart, taking pictures into the center of the web after Pavel Sulc intercepted a poor move from United goalkeeper Andre Onana and lower the ball again to his workforce mate.
Nonetheless, their pleasure was quick lived as Danish striker Hojlund — who got here on for Marcus Rashford within the 56th minute — levelled simply after the hour mark, scoring from shut vary with a tap-in.
Amad Diallo collected a move from Antony on the precise flank and struck from a good angle, an effort which was blocked earlier than Hojlund despatched the rebound into an empty web.
Neither aspect needed to accept a draw and Hojlund added a second aim within the 88th minute, scoring after a neat, low free kick from captain Bruno Fernandes to sentence Plzen to their first defeat within the competitors.
United, who go to Manchester Metropolis within the Premier League on Sunday, subsequent host Rangers on Jan. 23 earlier than their ultimate league-phase fixture at Steaua Bucharest per week later.
