Rasmus Hojlund rose from the bench to lead Manchester United to a 2-1 win over Viktoria Plzen and ensure Ruben Amorim’s run of consecutive defeats in the Czech Republic came to an end.

For much of Thursday night’s contest, played in icy conditions in Bohemia, United looked as if they were staring at their first European defeat of the season after former Burnley striker Matej Vydra capitalized on a terrible mistake from Andre Onana Achieving victory puts the hosts in the lead (48th).

Amorim looked to his substitutes and brought in Hojlund for the disappointing Marcus Rashford, and the Dane made an immediate impact, scoring a wild finish six minutes after coming on after good work from Amad Diallo (62′).

Dissatisfied with a point, United turned the game around just under two minutes before stoppage time when a disguised free-kick from Bruno Fernandes allowed Hojlund to turn and fire past Pilsen goalkeeper Martin Jedlicka, lifting United to fifth place in the European Championship. League table advanced.

Amorim told TNT Sports: “We improved as the game went on. We controlled it in the first half without having much of a chance. There was a lack of speed and movement.”

“On the pitch it was difficult to get in touch with the strikers but we controlled it. We then conceded a goal and responded with a win.”

Amorim’s side remain unbeaten after six games and have won three of them, while Pilsen drop to 15th place after their first defeat ahead of the remaining games on Thursday.

In Pilsen, substitutes make the difference

Ben Grounds from Sky Sports:

At the final whistle, the Pilsen players fell to the ground. They knew they had missed an opportunity. United became the first team to win here in Europe since Barcelona two years ago.

That meant they moved up to fifth place in the Europa League thanks to the changes Amorim made and the goals Hojlund scored.

A penny for the thoughts of Rashford, who toiled for almost an hour, clinging to a booking, protected for his own good. His departure from Old Trafford seems more likely by the day.

Hojlund had to take his chance, but so did Mason Mount and Antony in their encouraging cameos. Onana’s blushes were spared, but once the dust settles on this win there will be fresh scrutiny of the United goalkeeper’s decision-making.

His attempted pass to Matthijs de Ligt was a gift and was gobbled up by Vydra after being served by Pavel Sulc’s pass.

Hojlund’s striking power was exactly what Amorim needed ahead of the Manchester derby and with home and away games against Rangers at Steaua Bucharest they have a great chance of securing a place in the top eight.

The people of Pilsen were so excited about United’s visit to the city that they even brewed a special beer for the occasion.

But it is United who will be toasting their first away win in Europe since March 2023. What changed in the second half?

“The speed,” Amorim added. “I told the players that we need more movement up front. They had to feel that we were also a threat at the back and had to use the space. The guys who came off the bench helped, but we improved not only in our style of play but especially the speed of the game.

“Rasmus is improving. Now he is closer to the goal and knows what movements to make. He could have scored more tonight but his control is better. We have others on the bench who can make a difference and they all did it tonight.”

Fernandes: Mistakes are part of football

Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes told TNT Sports:

“Overall it was a good performance. I think we could have kept the ball a little better in the final third, but their man marking was difficult to get around. Sometimes you just have to pass and run to try to find the gaps behind it.

“We did better in the first half than we did in the second half when we let the game go a little bit the way they wanted, a little bit more transition. Then we dealt with it and in the end we got the win.”

“We want to play from the back and everyone knows that, then we have to make the right decision on the pitch.” Andre (Onana) thought that Matta (De Ligt) could get the ball, but he missed it and they got one Goal scored.” .

“It’s not about Andre making a mistake, we don’t look at individuals here when something happens on the wrong side. We have great confidence in him. He knows he’s made a mistake because he’s a smart guy, he’ll do that.” He often helps us and we trust in his qualities on the ball.

“Mistakes are part of football. If they don’t happen, no goals will be scored. But we did well to show the resilience to come back and win.”

Opta stats – Never say die, United

• No team in the Europa League has taken more points from behind this season than Manchester United (7).
• This evening’s defeat ended Viktoria Plzen’s streak of 12 unbeaten home games in European competition (including qualifying matches). Manchester United became the first team to beat the Czech club on home soil since Barcelona in November 2022.
• Bruno Fernandes’ assist for Rasmus Hojlund’s winner was the seventh chance he created in this game against Viktoria Plzen – it is the third time he has created more than 7 chances in a major European game for Man Utd without another player was on record (from 2003). /04) once for the Red Devils.

History of the game in statistics

What’s coming up in the Europa League?