Hojlund stars as guests toil

Rasmus Hojlund got here off the bench to attain twice and supply Ruben Amorim with a much-needed win regardless of one other sub-standard show from Manchester United in Plzen.

Hojlund’s fourth and fifth targets underneath Amorim obtained United out of jail after a efficiency that once more offers extra questions than solutions for the Portuguese.

After a woeful opening 45 minutes, United fell behind when one other Andre Onana mistake enabled veteran striker Matej Vydra to place Plzen in entrance.

Hojlund changed Marcus Rashford – the England worldwide hauled off earlier than he was sent-off after one other lacklustre show – and made an instantaneous impression, netting the equaliser earlier than grabbing the 88th-minute winner.

Rasmus Højlund within the Champions League and Europa League since becoming a member of Man United:

🏟 12 video games
⚽ 10 targets

He loves a European evening 🤩 pic.twitter.com/xDrqw2Cmne

— Soccer on TNT Sports activities (@footballontnt) December 12, 2024

The win strikes United as much as fifth within the Europa League desk forward of this night’s later video games however they must present a marked enchancment if they’re to make a deep run within the competitors.

United properly under par in drab first half

For an hour, Amorim will need to have been questioning what he had signed up for as United toiled towards restricted opposition.

Repeatedly the guests gave the ball away cheaply, struggling to convey any cohesion to their recreation on what was, admittedly, a tough pitch.

The primary half was largely devoid of any high quality in any respect with Plzen as dangerous as their illustrious opponents.

The 2 groups might solely muster one first rate probability every – Bruno Fernandes operating from inside his personal half earlier than firing in a shot that drew a wise save from house goalkeeper Martin Jedlicka whereas, on the different finish, Onana watched gratefully as Cheick Souare’s curling effort flashed narrowly huge of his left-hand submit.

The dearth of attacking intent within the opening interval was finest demonstrated by a mixed xG of 0.36 – the bottom within the competitors this season.

Oh-no Onana

Onana did, at the least, shake issues up inside three minutes of the restart though not in the best way Amorim would have needed.

Having been at fault for 2 of Nottingham Forest’s targets at Previous Trafford on the weekend, the Cameroonian dropped one other clanger by trying a brief move out of his space to Matthijs de Ligt. The ball was properly wanting the Dutchman, enabling Pavel Sulc to nip in and sq. it for Vydra to fireside house from shut vary.

Andre Onana received’t need to see that once more 🫣

A present from the United keeper and Studying old-boy Matej Vydra pounces to place Plzen forward 😱

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— Soccer on TNT Sports activities (@footballontnt) December 12, 2024

Hojlund introduction adjustments recreation

United’s activity would have turn out to be considerably more durable had referee Marian Barbu taken a dimmer view of a pointless lunge from Rashford on Plzen full-back Sampson Dweh. Rashford, who was already on a yellow card, escaped and was instantly taken off by Amorim and changed by Hojlund.

The Dane’s better depth pepped United up and, having had one shot saved by Jedlicka, Hojlund grabbed the equaliser shortly after the hour mark.

Not for the primary time in latest weeks, the objective was created by the brilliance of Amad Diallo, the Ivorian nutmegging Svetozar Markovic earlier than firing in a shot that was parried by Jedlicka straight into the trail of Hojlund who made no mistake.

United had been lastly wanting a risk with VAR rejecting requires a penalty for a handball by Dweh and Hojlund by some means failing to show house Fernandes’ wonderful left-wing cross.

Substitute Mason Mount must have made their superiority depend after 76 minutes however, having been performed clear via by Diallo, shot weekly on the goalkeeper.

Mount got here shut once more earlier than United netted the winner late on.

Fernandes was the provider with a free-kick however there was nonetheless a lot for Hojlund to do however he was as much as the duty, taking the ball away from Alexandr Sojka earlier than firing previous Jedlicka.

Antony nearly added a 3rd late on however was denied by a wonderful save.

Set piece magic for United 😍

Hojlund will get his second as some ‘Bruno Brilliance’ units him clear to provide Man Utd a late lead 👀

📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/FQ2E2Rg8Gs

— Soccer on TNT Sports activities (@footballontnt) December 12, 2024