Rasmus Hojlund’s late double inspired Manchester United to a crucial 2-1 comeback victory over Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League, marking a significant milestone for Ruben Amorim, who claimed his first away win as head coach. The victory was a much-needed boost for United, especially after recent setbacks on and off the pitch.
United’s journey under Amorim began with promise, but back-to-back defeats to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest, compounded by the abrupt departure of sporting director Dan Ashworth, had raised concerns. The match against Plzen seemed destined to deepen their woes when Matej Vydra put the home side ahead early in the second half. Vydra capitalized on a mistake by André Onana, whose misplaced pass was intercepted by Pavel Sulc, allowing the former Burnley striker to sweep home the opener.
The visitors, struggling to find rhythm in freezing conditions, endured a nervy start. Onana’s hesitance and errors nearly cost them further, as he collided with Casemiro during a free-kick and made unconvincing clearances. Despite these early struggles, United created opportunities. Marcus Rashford, Amad Diallo, and Joshua Zirkzee failed to capitalize on promising chances, while Bruno Fernandes finally tested Viktoria’s goalkeeper with a powerful effort.
As the first half progressed, Plzen offered glimpses of threat. Cheick Souaré’s curling effort and a stoppage-time strike from Vydra forced Onana into action, keeping the hosts within reach. Three minutes into the second half, however, Onana’s poor decision-making allowed Sulc to intercept a pass intended for Matthijs de Ligt, setting up Vydra for the opening goal.
United’s response was initially disjointed, but the introduction of Højlund from the bench changed the game. The Danish striker immediately made an impact, seizing on a loose pass from Sulc and testing Plzen’s goalkeeper with a low drive. Moments later, Hojlund found the equalizer. A quickly taken free-kick caught Plzen off guard, with Diallo cutting inside and unleashing a shot that was blocked. The ball fell kindly for Højlund, who turned it home to restore parity.
The momentum shifted as United pressed for a winner. Fernandes, instrumental in orchestrating the attack, delivered a series of dangerous crosses, one of which narrowly eluded Hojlund. At the other end, Plzen remained a threat, with Prince Adu’s delivery setting up Vydra for a shot that sailed just wide.
As the clock ticked down, United intensified their efforts. Substitute Mason Mount was twice denied by Plzen’s goalkeeper, while Alejandro Garnacho and Manuel Ugarte injected fresh energy into the side. The breakthrough finally came in the 88th minute through a clever set-piece. Fernandes delivered a low free-kick into the box, where Højlund held off his marker, controlled the ball, and unleashed a powerful left-footed strike into the bottom corner.
The victory marked United’s first European away win since March 2023 and significantly bolstered their chances of progressing to the knockout stages. Hojlund’s composure and clinical finishing provided a reminder of his potential, while Amorim’s tactical adjustments demonstrated his ability to inspire a turnaround under pressure.
This result offers United a platform to rebuild momentum after a turbulent period. While defensive lapses remain a concern, the team’s resilience and attacking quality shone through, signaling a positive step forward in their Europa League campaign.
