Bruno Fernandes and Joshua Zirkzee ahead of their flight to Plzen
Bruno Fernandes and Joshua Zirkzee ahead of their flight to Plzen (Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United are hoping to take another huge step to securing automatic qualification for the last 16 of the Europa League when they face Viktoria Plzen on Thursday. Ruben Amorim's side are unbeaten in Europe's second tier competition with two wins and three draws from their five league phase matches so far and sit 12th in the table heading into their trip to the Czech Republic.
As the top eight from the 36 team league guarantee their place in the last 16 - with ninth to 24th heading for a play-off knockout - United are keen to ensure they avoid a two-legged tie in February and victory over Plzen can move them closer to achieving that. United have won their last two Europa League matches with a 2-0 success over PAOK and a 3-2 win against Bodo/Glimt last month.
Plzen, meanwhile, have an almost identical record to United. The Czech side have also won two and drawn three of their five matches but have a marginal worse goal difference, scoring one fewer goal having conceded the same amount across the competition. Amazingly, Plzen - like United - drew their first three league matches before winning the last two against Real Sociedad and Dynamo Kyiv.
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What time does Viktoria Plzen v Man United kick-off?
Manchester United's trip to Viktoria Plzen will kick-off at 5:45pm GMT at the Doosan Arena on Thursday, December 12. It's set to be United's first-ever meeting with Plzen, who sit second in the Czech First League.
How to watch Viktoria Plzen v Man United
In the UK, the game will be televised live on TNT Sports 2. Coverage starts at 5:30pm GMT ahead of a 5:45pm kick-off. TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Viktoria Plzen v Man United team news
Apart from Luke Shaw, Manchester United have got a full squad to chose from for the clash with Plzen after Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof returned to the group on Wednesday. Ruben Amorim could decide to rest players ahead of the Manchester derby on Sunday, though Marcus Rashford might return to the XI after being on the bench for their last two matches.