Viktoria Plzen 1-2 Manchester United: Hojlund spares Onana´s blushes

Manchester United fought back from Andre Onana’s calamitous mistake as Rasmus Hojlund’s double saw off Viktoria Plzen 2-1 in the Europa League.

Onana gifted hosts Plzen the lead in the 48th minute of Thursday’s contest at Doosan Arena, when he passed straight to Pavel Sulc, who squared for Matej Vydra to tuck home.

Yet Onana’s blushes were spared thanks to Hojlund, whose winner came in the 88th minute.

The Dane, who came on in place of the ineffective Marcus Rashford, was in the right place to tap in after Martin Jedlicka parried straight to him in the six-yard box.

And after Mason Mount had seen two attempts saved by Jedlicka, Holjund reacted sharply from Bruno Fernandes’ clever free-kick to drill home the late winner.

Antony and Amad Diallo squandered opportunities for United to put the result beyond all doubt in stoppage time, but Ruben Amorim’s team nevertheless got back to winning ways ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby.

3 – Ruben Amorim is the third Manchester United manager to win both of his first two games in major European competition in charge of the club, along with Matt Busby and Alex Ferguson. Esteemed. pic.twitter.com/pxqeFQdkef

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 12, 2024

Data Debrief: Amorim in good company thanks to hotshot Hojlund

Amorim is only the third United boss to win both of his first two matches in major European competition in charge of the club, after Matt Busby and Alex Ferguson.

That is largely down to the efforts of super-sub Hojlund, who has been involved in 50% of United’s goals in the Europa League this season (6/12), with the forward scoring (four) or assisting (one) each of United’s last five goals in the competition.

The Red Devils are now well placed to qualify for the last 16 of the Europa League, though Plzen were dreaming of a famous win when former Burnley forward Vydra put them ahead.

Vydra has scored three goals in the Europa League this season; only Michael Krmencik (four) and Marek Bakos (four) have netted more goals for Plzen in a single campaign of a major European competition.