Viktoria Plzen vs Manchester United LIVE!
Manchester United’s hopes of qualifying for the Europa League last 16 have been boosted following a 2-1 win against Viktoria Plzen. Super-sub Rasmus Hojlund scored a brace to help the Red Devils come from behind to claim an important victory in the Czech Republic.
The result has lifted United up to fifth in the table and they can feel a lot better about their chances of a last-16 place. Having said that, Amorim cut a frustrated figure on the touchline during the first half as his side struggled to create a meaningful chance and his mood would not have improved early in the second half as Andre Onana gifted the ball to Pavel Sulc who then squared for Reading old-boy Matej Vydra to score from close range and break the deadlock.
That goal forced Amorim’s hand and he brought on Holjund, Antony and Mason Mount in a bid to change the game. Moments later United were on level terms, the Brazilian started the move which was finished off by the Denmark international as he tapped the ball home from a yard out after Amad Diallo’s effort was saved. As the visitors pushed for a winner, a moment of genius from Bruno Fernandes teed up Hojlund to secure the points.
Viktoria Plzen vs Manchester United latest news
- GOAL! Hojlund grabs his second
- GOAL! Hojlund hits back for visitors
- GOAL! Vydra breaks the deadlock
Viktoria Plzen 1-2 Man United
19:39 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneFULL-TIME: Viktoria Plzen 1-2 Man United
Rasmus Hojlund is the hero for the visitors as his brace completes the comeback.
Viktoria Plzen 1-2 Man United
19:34 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90+1 min: United waste a 3v1 situation to put the game to bed but Antony can’t convert.
GOAL! Viktoria Plzen 1-2 Man United | Rasmus Hojlund '88
19:33 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne88 min: GOAL FOR MANCHESTER UNITED!
The visitors have turned it around, quick thinking from Bruno Fernandes as he picks out Rasmus Hojlund from a free-kick and the Dane does the rest.
Viktoria Plzen 1-1 Man United
19:29 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne85 min: Jedlicka makes a good save to deny Mount again. United still pushing for a winner.
Viktoria Plzen 1-1 Man United
19:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne81 min: A simple finish but an important goal for Man United. Less than 10 minutes remaining, can they find a winner?
Impact player 💥
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 12, 2024
Hojlund taps in to level the scores for Manchester United ⚽️
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/b8ZliFzoos
Viktoria Plzen 1-1 Man United
19:24 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne80 min: Ruben Amorim rolls the dice again as Manuel Ugarte and Alejandro Garnacho replace Casemiro and Diogo Dalot.
De Ligt is booked for his complaints over a possible foul on Bruno Fernandes.
Viktoria Plzen 1-1 Man United
19:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne76 min: Another massive chance for Man United as Mason Mount is put through 1v1 with the goalkeeper but is denied by Jedlicka.
Viktoria Plzen 1-1 Man United
19:19 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne75 min: Bruno Fernandes works the ball to Antony but the Brazilian balloons his effort over the bar.
Viktoria Plzen 1-1 Man United
19:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne71 min: Adu is on for Vasulin in Plzen’s first change of the night. He’s right into the action, picking out Vydra who swivels and sends an effort just wide.
Viktoria Plzen 1-1 Man United
19:13 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne70 min: United are posing more of a threat now, they’ve had a couple of penalty claims waved away too.
Viktoria Plzen 1-1 Man United
19:11 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne66 min: Hojlund has made such a big difference to Man United’s attack as he causes confusion in the box.
GOAL! Viktoria Plzen 1-1 Man United | Rasmus Hojlund '62
19:07 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne62 min: GOAL FOR MANCHESTER UNITED!
Well, those substitutions have worked a treat. Anthony begins the move down the right, Amad Diallo sees his shot saved but the ball drops kindly for Rasmus Hojlund who couldn’t miss from a yard out.
Game on!
Viktoria Plzen 1-0 Man United
19:04 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne60 min: Double change for Man United as Mason Mount and Anthony replace Joshua Zirkzee and Tyrell Malacia.
Right wing-back duty for the Brazilian with Diogo Dalot switching to the left.
Viktoria Plzen 1-0 Man United
19:03 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne59 min: Vasulin receives the ball, turns away from three Man United defenders but fires his shot high and wide.
Up at the other end Hojlund is gifted the ball but is slowed down by Dweh and ends up firing a shot into Jedlicka’s arms.
Viktoria Plzen 1-0 Man United
19:01 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne58 min: Another costly error from Andre Onana. Now Manchester United have it all to do to rescue a positive result here.
Andre Onana won't want to see that again 🫣
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 12, 2024
A gift from the United keeper and Reading old-boy Matej Vydra pounces to put Plzen ahead 😱
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/fHlsdddhgp
Viktoria Plzen 1-0 Man United
19:00 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne55 min: Rashford is replaced by Hojlund.
This signal’s a slight tweak in the system as the Dane will lead the line whilst Zirkzee drops back into a number 10 role.
Viktoria Plzen 1-0 Man United
18:58 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne53 min: Marcus Rashford goes to ground and makes contact with Dweh. Already on a yellow card, he is a little fortunate to have avoided an early bath.
GOAL! Viktoria Plzen 1-0 Man United | Matej Vydra '48
18:53 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne48 min: GOAL for Viktoria Plzen.
Andre Onana tries to play the ball to De Ligt but the hosts win possession which leaves Matej Vydra with a simple tap-in.
What a start to the second half.
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man United
18:48 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWe are back underway in this Europa League clash.
HALF-TIME
18:33 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneViktoria Plzen 0-0 Man United
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man United
18:31 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne45+1 min: Into three minutes of added on time as Marcus Rashford is the first player booked this evening for a push on Cerv.
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man United
18:29 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne43 min: Souare attempts to bend the ball into the top corner from the edge of the box, but he doesn’t get enough curl on his effort and Onana watches it sail past the post.
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man United
18:27 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne42 min: Man United have dealt with set-pieces much better this evening than they did so against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest.
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man United
18:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne40 min: Just five minutes left of this half, United have looked bright in the last 10 minutes but they’ve not tested Martin Jedlicka enough.
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man United
18:21 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne35 min: Cameras cut to Ruben Amorim and he doesn’t look happy with what his side have produced so far.
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man United
18:17 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne31 min: First shot on target alert!
Bruno Fernandes is afforded far too much space and he carries the ball forward before aiming an effort towards the bottom corner which is well saved by Jedlicka.
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man United
18:16 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne30 min: Attempts on target...
Viktoria Plzen: 0
Manchester United: 0
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man United
18:13 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne27 min: Casemiro is a toenail away from converting Bruno Fernandes’ cross to put the visitors ahead. Looks like Zirkzee got a touch on the ball which put it out of the Brazilian’s reach.
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man United
18:09 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne23 min: Amad Diallo tricks his way into the box, cuts in on to his left foot for a shot but his effort is deflected which makes the save all the more comfortable for Jedlicka
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man United
18:07 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne21 min: Plzen threaten but Casemiro spots the danger to make an interception and set United on the attack.
Bruno Fernandes forces Marcus Rashford wider than he would have liked and the forward can’t hit the target from an acute angle.
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man United
18:04 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne19 min: Decent passage of play from Man United but the move breaks down following an attempted one-two between Rashford and Zirkzee.
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man United
18:02 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne17 min: Not seen a great deal of Marcus Rashford or Amad Diallo so far by Andre Onana is very much involved and not for good reasons.
He gifts possession away and the ball eventually finds its way to Cerv who fires an effort over the bar.
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man United
17:56 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne11 min: Andre Onana is looking rather suspect at set-pieces, that’s another failed attempt at coming to claim the ball.
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man United
17:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne8 min: Casemiro is in need of treatment after being clattered into by Onana at that free-kick. The Brazilian is fine to carry on but must wait 30 seconds before re-entering the field of play.
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man United
17:54 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne7 min: Bruno Fernandes brings down Cherv and is perhaps a little fortunate to avoid being shown a yellow card.
Nevertheless, Plzen have a free-kick in a dangerous area. The ball is floated in and Andre Onana comes to claim it but is beaten in the air, though the danger is cleared.
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man United
17:51 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne5 min: Brilliant play from Zirkzee as he shows great pace and strength to get away from Markovic and sees his effort deflected for a corner.
There is a VAR check for a penalty but it is checked and cleared.
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man United
17:48 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne3 min: Zirkzee is the most advanced Man United forward but he will probably drop deep which means Rashford and Amad have to exploit the space in behind.
KICK-OFF!
17:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWe are underway in this Europa League clash.
Here we go!
17:41 , Tashan Deniran-AlleynePlayers have emerged from the tunnel and out onto the pitch.
The Europa League anthem will blast through the speakers, followed by the player handshakes, team photo and then kick-off.
Not long now!
17:37 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneLess than 10 minutes to go until kick-off in the Czech Republic.
Man United aiming to get back on the winning trail after back-to-back defeats in the Premier League.
Amorim on Amad's role
17:34 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAmad Diallo, so far under Ruben Amorim, has been operating as a wing-back. But this evening he gets to play much further forward as a number 10 alongside Marcus Rashford.
Explaining the selection, the Man United boss said:
"Yes, I think it’s important for us to have a player in that [attacking] position like Amad. Always I think it is a very good position for him. He’s in a great moment and we’ll try to use it."
Plzen's approach
17:29 , Tashan Deniran-AlleynePlzen coach Miroslav Koubek has outlined what his side must do in order to claim a positive result against Man United.
"We must be compact, organised, work as a team and run a lot. We cannot succeed without doing that,” he said. “Most of our Europa League opponents are better technically and when on the ball."
Amorim's ideal scenario
17:23 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWith the small matter of a Manchester derby just around the corner, one can imagine Ruben Amorim would like a victory this evening in addition to no injuries.
English clubs in Europe this week
17:19 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSo far, Manchester City are the only English side to have lost in Europe this week.
Liverpool beat Girona, Aston Villa secured a dramatic victory over RB Leipzig before Arsenal overcame Monaco on Wednesday night.
Whose footsteps will Man United follow in this evening?
Rashford is back
17:13 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneMarcus Rashford is named in a Manchester United starting lineup for the first time since the Everton game where he netted a brace.
With question marks over his long-term future resurfacing this week, how will the forward respond this evening?
Europa League fixtures
17:06 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWith one matchday six fixture already taking place this week, here’s how today is shaping up in the Europa League.
Ready for more Matchday 6 action 👀#UEL pic.twitter.com/i2102ngtlB
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) December 12, 2024
Ruben Amorim arrives
16:57 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneRuben Amorim will be hopeful that the changes he’s made can inspire his side to return to winning ways after back-to-back defeats.
Five changes for Man United
16:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWe make that five changes to the XI that faced Nottingham Forest at the weekend.
Noussair Mazraoui replaces Leny Yoro as Tyrell Malacia starts at wing-back. Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte drop to the bench, with Casemiro coming into the midfield.
Joshua Zirkzee gets the nod over Rasmus Hojlund for the lone striker assignment, and Marcus Rashford starts.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 12, 2024
Plzen XI
16:38 , Tashan Deniran-AlleynePlzen XI: Jedlicka; Dweh, Markovic, Jemelka; Cadu, Cerv, Kalvach (c), Souare; Vydra, Sulc; Vasulin
Substitutes: Tvrdon (GK), Baier (GK), Hejda, Paluska, Kopic, Sojka, Mosquera, Panos, Havel, Sloncík, Jirka, Adu
Man United XI
16:32 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneMan United XI: Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez; Dalot, Casemiro, Fernandes, Malacia; Amad, Rashford; Zirkzee
Substitutes: Bayindir, Lindelof, Maguire, Yoro, Collyer, Eriksen, Mainoo, Mount Ugarte, Antony, Garnacho, Hojlund.
Team news imminent
16:25 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWe are expecting the team news to be announced shortly.
Stay tuned...
Viktoria Plzen form
16:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe hosts will be no pushovers tonight. In fact, just like Man United they are unbeaten in the Europa League this season after drawing their first three games of the league phase and winning their last two.
In addition, they are unbeaten in seven across all competitions.
Every United goal
16:17 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneMan United have netted 10 times in the Europa League so far this season and arguably Christian Eriksen scored the pick of the bunch against Fenerbahce.
A fine finish from @ChrisEriksen8 🎯
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 12, 2024
Watch every #UEL goal we have scored in 2024/25 so far ⤵️#MUFC
Malacia outlines big challenges
16:11 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneManchester United defender Tyrell Malacia has outlined the challenge of regaining his full match sharpness after such a long time out injured while learning Ruben Amorim’s style of play.
“[By] training every day, I have to improve week by week by playing games of course,” he told reporters.“I could already see a difference between my first game against Bodo/Glimt and Arsenal.
“Other than that, as a team, we are improving and trying to adapt to the playing style of the manager. I’m happy.”
Strong Man United squad
16:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneRuben Amorim has named a strong squad for this evening’s game. Victory for United will leave them in a healthy position with regards to qualifying for the last 16.
Ruben's Reds for matchday six in the @EuropaLeague 📋🇾🇪#MUFC || #UEL pic.twitter.com/R4QvzrHBQQ
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 12, 2024
Amorim discusses alternative Champions League route
16:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneManchester United boss Ruben Amorim is refusing to buy into the notion that winning the Europa League is his side’s best chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season.
"I as a coach I cannot focus on just that,” he told reporters. “The way we can see in the future, titles or something. Our goal is to win our Premier League. That is our goal.
“Of course you can do the math and you can understand that for a big club like us to be in the Champions League is so important. You can see and look at the table that from the Europa League, maybe it is easier.
“You can then perhaps take this information for this context but I am not focused on that and our goal is to win the Premier League, not just to go to the Champions League.
“To go [to] the Champions League is an important point to win the Premier League, that is really clear. But for me, the most important thing is to win and to see something different in the team in every game."
Predicted Man United XI
15:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneManchester United are expected to field a strong team as they return to Europa League action against Viktoria Plzen in the Czech Republic tonight.
Amorim has largely rotated during the opening few weeks of his tenure, so it will be fascinating to see what he does with his starting lineup tonight.
Marcus Rashford could start up front amid fresh doubts about his long-term future at the club following recent reports linking him with a move away.
Click here for our predicted Man United lineup.
Score prediction
15:42 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneUnited are in the middle of a tough run of fixtures and anything but a positive result here would only increase the levels of scrutiny ahead of matches against Manchester City and Tottenham.
Amorim’s side do not look convincing at the back, particularly from set-pieces, and Plzen are capable of taking advantage of any lapses in concentration.
1-1 draw.
Viktoria Plzen team news
15:36 , Tashan Deniran-AlleynePlzen are expected to be without defender Svetozar Markovic, after he was forced off in their league match against Karvina over the weekend.
Man United team news
15:28 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneLeny Yoro could make his first European appearance for United, having started against Forest last time out.
Victor Lindelof took part in first-team training on Wednesday and was subsequently named in the travelling squad along with young midfielder Toby Collyer.
Jonny Evans was also back involved at Carrington though did not make the trip, with Luke Shaw still sidelined after his recent injury setback.
How to watch
15:23 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneTV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on TNT Sports 2. Coverage starts at 5:30pm GMT ahead of a 5:45pm kick-off.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Welcome
15:15 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneGood afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Manchester United’s Europa League clash with Viktoria Plzen.
Kick-off from the Doosan Arena is at 5.45pm GMT.
