Two teams level on points in the Europa League standings face off at Doosan Arena in Czechia on Thursday night as Viktoria Plzen play host to Manchester United.
Both clubs enter this contest after picking up nine points from their first five fixtures, with the Red Devils sitting 12th in the 36-team table and just one place above Plzen in 13th spot.
Match preview
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim on December 1, 2024© Imago
After making an unbeaten start to life as Man United manager in his first three games at the helm (W2 D1), Ruben Amorim has since suffered back-to-back Premier League defeats in the space of just three days to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest.
A 2-0 Premier League defeat away against Arsenal was followed by a disappointing 3-2 home loss to Nottingham Forest last Saturday, a result that leaves Man United languishing in 13th place in the table with just 19 points - their lowest tally after 15 matches since the 1986-87 campaign.
Amorim admitted after the match that Man United's lack of quality ultimately cost them against Forest, reiterating that there is no quick-fix to the issues he is facing, and a "long journey" is required to return success to Old Trafford.
Before turning their attention to the small matter of the Manchester derby on Sunday, Man United will shift their focus back to the Europa League where they have won two and drawn three of their opening five fixtures in the newly-formed League Phase - including a 3-2 win over Bodo/Glimt last time out - and sit just one point behind the automatic last-16 spots.
Not since the 2013-14 campaign have Man United opened up a European campaign with a six-game unbeaten streak, while they travel to Plzen on Thursday seeking to win their first-ever away match on Czech soil, having previously drawn two and lost one of their last three visits.
Pavel Sulc in action for Viktoria Plzen on September 17, 2024© Imago
After reaching the quarter-finals of last season's Conference League, Viktoria Plzen remain in contention to advance to the knockout rounds of a European competition for the second successive year, as they - to the surprise of some - have made an unbeaten start to their Europa League campaign this term.
Two wins and three draws have been posted by Miroslav Koubek's side, who followed up three consecutive draws with back-to-back 2-1 victories over Real Sociedad and Dynamo Kiev, beating the latter away from home a fortnight ago to move to within one point of the top eight with three games remaining.
Pavel Sulc was on the scoresheet against Dynamo Kiev and he has since increased his goal tally for the season to 10 after netting a late brace in last weekend's 2-1 comeback victory over Karvina in the Czech First League.
The six-time Czech champions, who have not lost any of their last seven games in all competitions (W6 D1), currently sit second in the top-flight standings at the halfway stage, but they are 10 points behind unbeaten leaders Slavia Prague.
Plzen are now focused on the Europa League and are vying to win their first-ever European game against English opposition on Thursday, having previously lost 3-0 at home and 4-2 away against Manchester City in the 2013-14 Champions League.
Viktoria Plzen Europa League form:
Viktoria Plzen form (all competitions):
Manchester United Europa League form:
Manchester United form (all competitions):
Team News
Manchester United's Rasmus Hojlund celebrates scoring on December 7, 2024© Imago
Viktoria Plzen are set to be without defender Svetozar Markovic, who was taken to hospital for tests after sustaining an injury in last weekend's win over Karvina, while Prince Kwabena Adu has missed the last five games due to visa issues.
Veteran winger Jan Sykora is yet to kick a ball this term due to injury and remains in the treatment room with fellow long-term absentees Christophe Kabongo and Rafiu Durosinmi, while Cory Sene is ineligible having not been selected in Plzen's Europa League squad.
Having netted four goals in his last four games, in-form top scorer Sulc is set to once again operate in and advanced role in behind Erik Jirka and ex-Burnley striker Matej Vydra.
As for Man United, Luke Shaw remains sidelined with a troublesome muscle injury, while fellow defenders Victor Lindelof (groin) and Jonny Evans (knock) are both doubtful and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
Amorim will consider freshening up his starting lineup, with defensive trio Harry Maguire, Noussair Mazraoui and Tyrell Malacia all pushing for a recall, while Mason Mount, Casemiro and Christian Eriksen will all be hoping to force their way back into the midfield.
Rasmus Hojlund has scored eight European goals for Man United and could become just the third player after Wayne Rooney and Marcus Rashford to net nine goals for the Red Devils at the age of 21 or younger. However, the Dane faces competition for a start up front from Joshua Zirkzee.
Viktoria Plzen possible starting lineup:
Jedlicka; Dweh, Hejda, Jemelka; Cadu, Cerv, Kalvach, Souare; Sulc; Jirka, Vydra
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
Onana; Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez; Antony, Casemiro, Fernandes, Malacia; Mount, Rashford; Zirkzee
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We say: Viktoria Plzen 1-3 Manchester United
Viktoria Plzen, who have already caused a couple of upsets in the Europa League this season, may enter Thursday's contest as huge underdogs, but they will fancy their chances against an out-of-sorts Man United side.
Amorim will be seeking a response from his players, though, and it is difficult to back against the Red Devils coming out on top, even if their Portuguese boss opts to make a few changes to his lineup.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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