Manchester United secured a vital 2-1 UEFA Europa League away win as Rasmus Hojlund’s double secured victory at Viktoria Plzen.
The Czech title challengers were more than a match for the Red Devils in the first-half with chances at a premium at both ends.
However, despite the travelling fans being confident of a second-half response, Andre Onana’s error gifted Matej Vydra the chance to slot the hosts in front.
United responded swiftly, as Hojlund netted his fourth European goal of the campaign, after Amad Diallo’s pass deflected to him on 62 minutes.
As the hosts dug in late on, United looked set be heading back to Manchester in frustration, before Hojlund latched on to Bruno Fernandes’ quickly-taken free-kick to fire home a dramatic winner.
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Viktoria Plzen vs. Man United final score
| Result | Goal scorers | |
| Viktoria Plzen | 1 | Vydra 48′ |
| Man United | 2 | Hojlund 62′, 88 |
Location: Doosan Arena (Plzen, Czechia)
Referee: Marian Alexandru Barbu (ROM)
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Lineups:
Viktoria Plzen (3-5-1-1, right to left): Jedlicka (GK) — Dweh, Markovic, Jemelka — Cadu, Kalvach, Cerv, Sulc, Souare — Vydra — Vasulin.
Man United (3-4-3, right to left): Onana (GK) — Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez — Dalot, Casemiro, Fernandes, Malacia — Amad Diallo, Zirkzee. Rashford.
Viktoria Plzen vs. Man United stats
| Viktoria Plzen | Stat | Man United |
| 15 | Shots | 17 |
| 2 | Shots on target | 8 |
| 0.77 | Expected goals | 2.73 |
| 31% | Possession | 69% |
| 308 | Passes | 676 |
| 1 | Corners | 5 |
| 11 | Fouls | 11 |
| 0 | Yellow cards | 3 |
| 4 | Offsides | 1 |
Viktoria Plzen vs. Man United live updates and highlights
FT: Viktoria Plzen 1-2 Man United
Man United leave it late in Plzen but Hojlund’s second-half double secures a key win for Amorim on the road…up next, the Manchester derby this weekend!
Togetherness.#MUFC || #UEL pic.twitter.com/bAvKAHcR2H
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 12, 2024
88 mins: HOJLUND WINS IT FOR UNITED!!
What a finish from Hojlund! Fernandes’ quick free-kick catches out the Viktoria Plzen defence and the Dane bustles past his marker to fire home the clincher!
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62 mins: UNITED PULL LEVEL IN PLZEN!
Rasmus Hojlund gets United level with his fourth European goal of the season! A moment of brilliance from Amad Diallo creates the chance, as his deflected pass, falls to United’s No.9 to tuck home.
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48 mins: VIKTORIA PLZEN TAKE THE LEAD!!!
A howler from Andre Onana – as he tries a pass out from the back to Matthijs de Ligt – Pavel Sulc cuts it out and Matej Vrydra slots into an empty net!
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HT: Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man United
All square at the break in Plzen with United struggling to test the home side. Bruno Fernandes’ effort is the closest either team has come to a breakthrough in a tame first 45 minutes.
🇵🇹©️#MUFC || #UEL pic.twitter.com/xqS4Sak5V0
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 12, 2024
KICKOFF: VIKTORIA PLZEN VS. MAN UNITED
❤️🤍🖤#MUFC || #UEL pic.twitter.com/IAXxUNMaE5
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 12, 2024
Viktoria Plzen vs. Man United kickoff time
This Europa League match kicks off from Doosan Arena in Plzen, Czechia at 6:45 p.m. local time.
Here’s how that time translates across some of the major territories around the globe:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA/Canada | Thu, Dec. 12 | 12:45 p.m. ET |
| USA/Canada | Thu, Dec. 12 | 9:45 a.m. PT |
| UK | Thu, Dec. 12 | 5:45 p.m. GMT |
| Australia | Fri, Dec. 13 | 4:45 a.m. AEDT |
| India | Thu, Dec. 12 | 11:15 p.m. IST |
Viktoria Plzen vs. Man United lineups, team news, starting 11
Viktoria Plzen line up in a similar back-three system to that favoured by Amorim, which could make for some interesting matchups across the pitch.
Pavel Sulc scored in the 2-1 win at Dynamo Kiev last time out and hit both in a league victory over Karvina last Sunday, so he represents a danger to United’s fragile backline. Premier League fans will also remember Matej Vydra, the former Watford, Derby County and Burnley striker who returned to his homeland in 2022.
Viktoria Plzen (3-5-1-1, right to left): Jedlicka (GK) — Dweh, Markovic, Jemelka — Cadu, Kalvach, Cerv, Sulc, Souare — Vydra — Vasulin.
Injured: None
Suspended: None
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Ruben Amorim has started 20 different players in his five United games and makes further alterations due to the short turnaround before Sunday’s Manchester derby.
Antony is named on the bench as Diogo Dalot starts, while Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee lead the attack.
Man United lineup (3-4-3, right to left): Onana (GK) — Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez — Dalot, Casemiro, Fernandes, Malacia — Amad Diallo, Zirkzee. Rashford.
Viktoria Plzen vs. Man United live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this Europa League match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
