OK. Enough beer – now football.

Today’s game is an important game for United coach Amorim – it won’t just be about European placement and trying to gain automatic qualification for the round of 16. He also wants to see an end to a run of two heavy defeats at Arsenal and at home to Nottingham Forest.

There’s been a lot of commentary about the new manager trying out his new team – moving players into new positions, shaking things up and seeing how they do. But results must come.

A Picture from one pint from Pilsner in one Bar In Pilsen

Important context

So some interesting facts about Pilsen – or Pilsen as it is translated – thanks to a little sheet created in advance of the game. The tourism department is definitely having a field day.

They point out:

Pilsen is the home of Pilsen beer, which was first brewed there in 1842.

Pilsen is also home to the Pilsner Urquell brewery (290 million gallons exported to more than 50 countries worldwide), which is an easy walk from Doosan Stadium. The paper notes that beer is a good way to warm up before the game (the temperature is around 0°C).

It continues: “The outcome of the game must be properly discussed. Ideally in the city center with a good drink.”

The paper also states: “Parts for the London Eye, Škoda trolleybuses in San Francisco and the Loviisa nuclear power plant in Finland were all manufactured in Pilsen.”

It ends: “Cheers, Pilsner beer really tastes best in Pilsen”

Here is a picture of some of the United team on the way to Pilsen.

Who is Viktoria Pilsen?

United’s opponents – perhaps called Pilsen – are level on points in the Europa League. Both teams have nine points, but United are ahead by a narrow goal difference.

Domestically, Plzen sits in second place (behind Sparta Prague) in the Czech First League and has won 12 of its 18 games.

Her coach is 73-year-old Miroslav Koubek, a former goalkeeper, WHO declared his admiration for Sir Alex Ferguson in a recent interview.

“He was a huge inspiration to me.”

And here’s a picture of United manager Ruben Amorim checking out the stadium last night.

Afternoon all…

or evening or morning, wherever you are in the world.

It is with some joy and general excitement that we bring you live coverage of what some would describe as a battle between David and Goliath in the Europa League.

Viktoria Plzeň – they are the David – welcomes Manchester United (G) to their tiny stadium on the banks of the Mze River in the city of Pilsen in the Czech Republic. (Much more information about the city to come thanks to the detective work.)

The stadium has a capacity of just 11,700 spectators – 62,710 less than Old Trafford. But it will be fascinating to see how United cope with the task ahead.