Ruben Amorim's side struggled badly on a cold night away to Viktoria Plzen
A mistake from Andre Onana had to be cancelled out by Rasmus Hojlund's tap-in
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By NATHAN SALT
Published: 14:45 EST, 12 December 2024 | Updated: 14:48 EST, 12 December 2024
Manchester United had Rasmus Hojlund to thank after the £72million striker came off the bench to spare their blushes on a difficult night away to Viktoria Plzen.
United produced their most hapless 45 minutes of the season to date in the first half as they were easily contained by a confident Plzen.
Andre Onana made a major error to gift the hosts the lead but from there a decisive Ruben Amorim was able to flip the script with his substitutions.
Hojlund was one of those changes and it was his brace that stopped the rot for United as they go into this weekend's Manchester derby on the back of a win.
Mason Mount and Antony, also sent on from the bench, made an impact on a night where plenty in a United shirt struggled.
Mail Sport's NATHAN SALT runs the rule over Amorim's stars on a cold night in Czech Republic.
Rasmus Hojlund (second from left) scored a brace off the bench to win it for Man United
Viktoria Plzen took a shock lead thanks to an error from United goalkeeper Andre Onana
Ruben Amorim's side secured a much-needed victory but he cut a frustrated figure in Plzen
MANCHESTER UNITED (3-4-3)
Andre Onana - 4
Came into the game with his confidence rocked and looked nervous from the off before wiping out Casemiro with a reckless rush on a set-piece. Then made a monumental error for the second successive game to gift Plzen a goal.
Noussair Mazraoui - 6.5
Such a consistent performer and even on a difficult night in the Amorim tenure so far, the Moroccan defender made a series of crucial interceptions just when it looked like Plzen could pick up some steam.
Matthjis de Ligt - 5.5
Can count himself unlucky that it was he who Onana sought out with a pass from the back that was never on and Plzen punished it with the opening goal. Booked for dissent on a frustrating night for United.
Lisandro Martinez - 6
Saw plenty of the ball and got stronger as the game went on as he saw out 90 minutes. Went 4/9 on his accurate long passes and he is the best hope for Amorim to get the ball from back to front quickly.
Diogo Dalot - 5
Doesn't quite look comfortable in a wing-back role. Went 1/2 on successful dribbles in 81 minutes of action and did not produce a single accurate cross all night. Glaring lack of output down the right side.
Bruno Fernandes - 7
The Manchester United captain came within a whisker of getting an assist when he produced a brilliant pass to Hojlund... only to finally get it on the winning goal with a clever free-kick. He comes up big in the biggest moments and it is why Amorim knows he can depend on him.
Casemiro - 6.5
Took a nasty whack from his goalkeeper early on that had him writhing around in pain but he soon shook it off. Was a dependable presence for Amorim in the middle of the park as he dished the ball around with great accuracy as United grew into the game.
Tyrell Malacia - 5
The positive is that he came through 61 minutes of action unscathed as he steps up his fitness after such a long lay off - almost 18 months - with injury. The negative is that he didn't produce an accurate cross, an accurate through ball and made just two passes into the final third as a wing-back. Needs to offer much more.
Joshua Zirkzee - 4.5
Made one exciting run in the first few minutes but that was a red herring for what was to come. The cumbersome Dutchman gave the ball away 16 times in the first half - six more than any other United player - which left his manager furious on the touchline. Got 16 minutes of the second half and didn't improve before he was hooked.
Marcus Rashford - 5
Did not create a single chance or have a single shot in just under an hour in Plzen. Got the nod to start but his influence on the game was non-existent at times. Booked.
Amad Diallo - 7.5
Strangely he finished the first half with the fewest touches (33) of any United outfield player - despite being their biggest and best threat. It was his direct and mazy running that put the ball on a plate for Rasmus Hojlund to tap in the equaliser.
MANAGER: Ruben Amorim - 7
Deserves an immense amount of credit for being decisive with his substitutions, all of which made an impact to drag this underperforming United side over the line. Looked frantic in the first 45 minutes but got his rewards for his tweaks.
SUBS
Rasmus Hojlund (for Marcus Rashford, 56) - 8
Mason Mount (for Joshua Zirkzee, 61) - 7
Antony (for Tyrell Malacia, 61) - 7
Manuel Ugarte (for Casemiro, 81) - 6
Alejandro Garnacho (for Diogo Dalot, 81) - 5
**
Viktoria Plzen (3-4-3): Jedlicka 7; Dweh 6, Markovic 6, Jemelka 5.5; Cadu 6 (Havel 78), Cerv 7, Kalvach 6, Souaré 6.5; Vydra 7 (Sojka 86), Vasulin 5.5 (Adu 72), Sulc 6.5
Goals: Vydra (48)
Manager: Miroslav Koubeck 6