Manchester United head to Czechia this week for a UEFA Europa League clash with Viktoria Plzen.
The Czech title challengers are level on points with the Red Devils after five games of the league phase, so this represents a potentially significant game in terms of both sides’ hopes of automatic qualification to the Round of 16.
United suffered back-to-back Premier League defeats to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest last week, and with a derby against Manchester City to come on Sunday, head coach Ruben Amorim is likely to make more changes to his starting lineup for Thursday’s fixture.
Their opponents are unbeaten in all competitions since November 3 and will offer a stern test to Amorim and his players.
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Viktoria Plzen vs. Man United lineups, starting 11, team news
Viktoria Plzen will 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 starting XI (3-4-2-1, right to left): Jedlicka (GK) — Dweh, Markovic, Jemelka — Cadu, Cerv, Kalvach, Souare — Vydra, Sulc — Vasulin.
Injured: None
Suspended: None
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Ruben Amorim has started 20 different players in his five United games and has continued to make further alterations given the short turnaround before Sunday’s Manchester derby.
Defenders Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof took part in team training prior to the flight out to Czechia, but do not find a place in the starting lineup, while fit-again youngster Toby Collyer makes the bench.
Diogo Dalot will have to wait for much-needed rest, moved to the right flank with Tyrell Malacia handed a start. Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee rotate back in, with Amad Diallo pushed further into the attack and Casemiro slotted into midfield in place of Manuel Ugarte.
Man United starting lineup (3-4-2-1, right to left): Onana (GK) — Mazraoui, De Ligt, L. Martinez — Dalot, Fernandes, Casemiro, Malacia — Amad Diallo, Rashford — Zirkzee.
Injured: Shaw
Suspended: None
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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:
