Manchester United weathered another mistake from Andre Onana to complete a comeback victory over Viktoria Plzen to move closer to winning automatic qualification for the Europa League round of 16.
The first half in the Czech Republic has a lacklustre affair as United controlled possession but created little opportunities. In comparison the hosts looked sharp on the counter-attack and weren’t shy to shoot.
Plzen were then gifted the opening goal in the second half as Onana attempted to play out from back. The United goalkeeper gave up the ball and allowed Matej Vydra to tap in from close range.
Ruben Amorim switched things up almost immediately and brought on the substitutions. Mason Mount was a bright spark but Rasmus Hojlund changed the game. He got on the end of passes from Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes to equalise and then win the game late in the day.
Relive the Europa League action with our live blog below:
Viktoria Plzen vs Man Utd LIVE
- Viktoria Plzen beaten by Man Utd in the Europa League, live on TNT Sports
- 88’ GOAL! Hojlund scores a second from a Fernandes free kick (PLZ 1-2 MUN)
- 78’ SAVE! Jedlicka keeps out Mount’s low effort (PLZ 1-1 MUN)
- 62’ GOAL! Hojlund comes off the bench and scores (PLZ 1-1 MUN)
- 48’ GOAL! Vydra taps home after Onana howler (PLZ 1-0 MUN)
- 42’ CHANCE Souare curls a shot wide of the target (PLZ 0-0 MUN)
- 30’ SAVE! Jedlicka palms Fernandes’ shot from range clear (PLZ 0-0 MUN)
Even in victory Manchester United show how difficult Ruben Amorim’s rebuild will be
20:10 , Mike JonesA victory snatched from the jaws of defeat should give a new manager hope that there is fight among his charges, that the future is bright.
Not for Ruben Amorim. Rasmus Hojlund stepped off the bench to fire Manchester United to a lofty fifth in the Europa League standings - heady heights indeed - but the performance on a bitterly cold night in Plzen was worrying in the extreme.
Amorim became only the third United manager to win both of his first two matches in major European competition in charge of the club, after Matt Busby and Alex Ferguson, as his side picked up their first away success in Europe since March 2023.
Even in victory Manchester United show how difficult Ruben Amorim’s rebuild will be
Manchester United’s Rasmus Hojlund speaking to TNT Sports:
20:12 , Mike Jones“It was a bit difficult out there. It was very cold today and the pitch was a bit boggy as well, but we solved it in the second half.
“I think we didn’t play too direct in the first half. We needed to play over them and behind them more because there was space to run into. Especially with the boggy pitch I was talking about, if we won the second balls, you can play from there.
“I have watched Bruno [Fernandes] do that before. I remember the goal with Anthony Martial when he did the chip for him. I just thought I had a good opportunity because I am strong, I could push the defender and spin him and finish.”
Captain Bruno
20:11 , Mike JonesBruno Fernandes’ assist for Rasmus Hojlund’s winning goal was the seventh chance he created in the game.
It is the third time he has created seven or more chances in a European match for United. Nobody else on record (from 2003-04) has done so even once for United.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes speaking to TNT Sports:
20:11 , Mike Jones“It was a good performance overall. I think in the final third we could have kept the ball a bit more but the man-marking from them was difficult to get away from. Sometimes you just have to pass and run to try to find the gaps in behind.
“In the first half we did it better than in the second half, when we let the game go a little bit in the way that they wanted, a bit more transitional. Then we dealt with that 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 on the ball but he missed it and they scored a goal.
“It is not about Andre making the mistake, we don’t look at individuals here when something happens on the wrong side. We have huge belief in him. He knows he made a mistake because he is a clever guy, he is going to help us many times and we trust his qualities on the ball.
“Mistakes are part of football. If they don’t happen then goals don’t happen. But we did well to show the resilience to come back and find the victory.”
‘The game became stretched and that helped'
19:58 , Mike JonesKaren Carney speaking on TNT Sports: “The game became far more stretched in the second half and that helped Manchester United. They are far more suited to carrying the ball on transition.
“Then Ruben Amorim’s substitutions also helped. Mason Mount came on and made a big difference and it gave Amad more time and space to run.”
FT Viktoria Plzen 1-2 Man Utd
19:55 , Mike Jones
FT Viktoria Plzen 1-2 Man Utd
19:52 , Mike JonesManchester United are the first foreign side to win here since Barcelona in November 2022.
FT Viktoria Plzen 1-2 Man Utd
19:49 , Mike JonesViktoria Plzen’s 12-match home unbeaten run in Europe (including qualifiers) comes to an end.
‘Massive win for Man Utd'
19:46 , Mike JonesFormer Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves speaking on TNT Sports: “It’s a massive win for Manchester United in an almost must-win game.
“There was plenty of pressure on Ruben Amorim’s team to win this.”
FT Viktoria Plzen 1-2 Man Utd
19:45 , Mike JonesThis was Manchester United’s first away win in Europe since beating Real Betis in March 2023.
FT Viktoria Plzen 1-2 Man Utd
19:45 , Mike JonesRuben Amorim becomes only the third Manchester United manager to win his first two European matches in charge of the club, after Matt Busby and Alex Ferguson.
Full-time! Viktoria Plzen 1-2 Man Utd
19:39 , Mike Jones90+5 mins: The whistle goes!
Manchester United get the three points and become the first team in two years to win here in Europe. They’re up to fifth in the Europa League and should take some confidence into the Manchester derby.
Ruben Amorim’s in game management was wonderful and the Red Devils are back to winning ways.
Viktoria Plzen 1-2 Man Utd
19:35 , Mike Jones90+3 mins: Noussair Mazraoui is booked for delaying the restart after Antony misses a good chance from inside the penalty area. He sends his effort straight at the goalkeeper who keeps it out.
Martin Jedlicka has had a strong game.
Viktoria Plzen 1-2 Man Utd
19:34 , Mike Jones90 mins: Five minutes of added time to play. Can United hold on here?
GOAL! Viktoria Plzen 1-2 Man Utd (Rasmus Hojlund, 88’)
19:32 , Mike JonesSuperb!
Bruno Fernandes takes the free kick and drills it low into the left side of the box. Rasmus Hojlund brings the ball under control and then hooks it into the far corner.
Lovely finish.
Viktoria Plzen 1-1 Man Utd
19:31 , Mike Jones87 mins: Fernandes wins United a corner and jogs over to take it himself before leaving it for Mason Mount. Mount’s delivery is decent and goes deep. Plzen work it away but give up a free kick for handball.
Viktoria Plzen 1-1 Man Utd
19:29 , Mike Jones86 mins: The momentum has swung. Man Utd have been the better side in the second half and a second goal wouldn’t be undeserved.
They’re still shaky in defence and could get caught out again.
Hojlund receives the ball on the inside right. He carries it into the box and finds Mount making the run in behind. Mount shoots from a tight angle but can’t beat the goalkeeper.
Viktoria Plzen 1-1 Man Utd
19:26 , Mike Jones84 mins: Those final changes signal Ruben Amorim’s intent. He wants United to go on and win this game and has brought on a lot of attacking reinforcements.
Is the desire and quality there for them to do so?
Viktoria Plzen 1-1 Man Utd
19:24 , Mike Jones81 mins: The substitutions have helped United get back into this game. They’ve been lively and have put more urgency into the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo.
Fernandes goes down after clashing with Souare.
Manuel Ugarte and Alejandro Garnacho are brought on to replace Casemiro and Diogo Dalot.
Viktoria Plzen 1-1 Man Utd
19:20 , Mike Jones78 mins: Save!
United should be ahead. Amad Diallo makes the opportunity with another fine run from the right. He sends the ball into the box and picks out Mason Mount.
Mount goes for power and strikes a low effort as Jedlicka commits. The goalkeeper lunges at the ball and manages to keep it out!
Viktoria Plzen 1-1 Man Utd
19:19 , Mike Jones75 mins: Bruno Fernandes tries to force a shot through the back-tracking Plzen defence but get squeeze it through. The shot is blocked and bounces free to Antony whose own effort is dispatched high and wide.
Viktoria Plzen 1-1 Man Utd
19:16 , Mike Jones73 mins: Matej Vydra almost has a second for Plzen. The cross comes in from the right and the goalscorer takes the ball down the hooks it just wide.
This game isn’t done. There’ll be at least one more goal.
Viktoria Plzen 1-1 Man Utd
19:15 , Mike Jones72 mins: Chance! Noussair Mazraoui wins back possession on the edge of his own box and passes it away to kick on a counter-attack.
Mason Mount sends it over to Diogo Dalot who feeds Bruno Fernandes out to the left wing. Fernandes sends in a low cross to the near post and a lunging Rasmus Hojlund just can’t get a touch on the ball to turn it home.
Viktoria Plzen 1-1 Man Utd
19:12 , Mike Jones69 mins: De Ligt receives the ball from the corner and nods it towards goal. All the United players appeal for handball as the shot is blocked but the referee waves it away.
It does look as though the ball hit a hand but United aren’t getting the penalty they want.
Viktoria Plzen 1-1 Man Utd
19:11 , Mike Jones68 mins: Rasmus Hojlund receives the ball inside the penalty area and looks to spin. He’s sandwiched and goes down hoping for a penalty that doesn’t come.
Mason Mount then makes a run into the right side of the box but a sliding tackle from Svetozar Markovic toes the ball out for a corner.
Viktoria Plzen 1-1 Man Utd
19:09 , Mike Jones66 mins: That equaliser could have a multiplying effect for Man Utd. Plzen were overjoyed when they went in front and could possible be slightly demoralised after the equaliser.
Diogo Dalot receives the ball out on the left side and cuts inwards. He wants to shoot but misses the ball after slipping before taking the shot.
GOAL! Viktoria Plzen 1-1 Man Utd (Rasmus Hojlund, 62’)
19:06 , Mike JonesEqualiser!
Antony starts the move and feeds Amad Diallo out on the right wing. Amad takes up the ball and drives into the box before taking a shot.
The ball deflects into the path of Rasmus Hojlund who taps it home. Game on.
Viktoria Plzen 1-0 Man Utd
19:05 , Mike Jones61 mins: Two more changes for Man Utd. Mason Mount and Antony come on with Joshua Zirkzee and Tyell Malacia taken off. Will United be more of a threat now?
Viktoria Plzen 1-0 Man Utd
19:03 , Mike Jones60 mins: There’s been no reaction at all from Man Utd. No desire or urgency to get the equaliser, a lack of tempo is killing United and was a frequent criticism throughout Erik ten Hag’s era.
Plzen give up the ball as Pavel Sulc feeds it to Rasmus Hojlund. Hojlund carries the ball to the box, checks to the left then shoots and picks out the goalkeeper.
Viktoria Plzen 1-0 Man Utd
18:59 , Mike Jones57 mins: Ruben Amorim does respond with a change. Rasmus Hojlund comes on to replace Marcus Rashford. Rashford was on yellow card and had just escaped a second booking for a wild tackle.
He’s also not had much of an effect on the game. What can Hojlund muster up?
Viktoria Plzen 1-0 Man Utd
18:56 , Mike Jones54 mins: United have done well to get possession but now they need more attacking flair. That may only come with substitutions but Amorim will also have the Manchester derby on the back of his mind.
His first aim needs to be turning this game around.
Viktoria Plzen 1-0 Man Utd
18:55 , Mike Jones51 mins: That goal caps off another poor performance from Andre Onana. He was shaky in the first half and is now at fault for the goal. That also comes after giving away goals against Nottingham Forest in United’s previous game.
What will Ruben Amorim be thinking now?
GOAL! Viktoria Plzen 1-0 Man Utd (Matej Vyrda, 48’)
18:52 , Mike JonesWow!
Andre Onana gifts another goal away. He passes the ball to Pavel Sulc as Plzen press up the pitch. Sulc squares a pass into the Matej Vydra who taps it into the open goal.
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man Utd
18:50 , Mike Jones48 mins: Lukas Kalvach drills a shot from range and hits teammate Daniel Vasulin on the edge of the box. There’s been no changes in personnel at the break.
Second half! Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man Utd
18:48 , Mike JonesViktoria Plzen get the ball rolling again. They launch it forward and Lisandro Martinez heads the ball away.
HT Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man Utd
18:45 , Mike JonesViktoria Plzen were last beaten at home in Europe by Barcelona, two years ago. They’re stubborn customers but United need to do more to upset their rhythm and put pressure on the defenders.
What words of wisdom will Ruben Amorim have for the second half?
HT Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man Utd
18:41 , Mike JonesManchester Unitedhad 71% possession in the first half and didn’t do anything with it. They created three shots with two of them on target.
In contrast, Plzen had eight attempts at goal though only one of theirs troubled Andre Onana. Not the best half of football.
HT Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man Utd
18:37 , Mike Jones
Half-time! Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man Utd
18:33 , Mike Jones45+3 mins: Ruben Amorim probably underestimated the job he needed to do with these Man Utd players. There doesn’t seem to be any rhythm or sense of intuitiveness between the players.
Nothing to split the teams are the break. Will there be goals in the second half?
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man Utd
18:30 , Mike Jones45 mins: Three minutes of added time to play. Marcus Rashford is forced to track back and shoves Lukas Cerv to the ground earning himself the booking.
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man Utd
18:29 , Mike Jones42 mins: Cadu swings a deep cross into the box for the hosts but Diogo Dalot is there to nod the ball out of the box. Plzen keep the pressure on and Cheick Souare curls a fine effort wide of the far post.
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man Utd
18:24 , Mike Jones39 mins: The good news for United is that Plzen look a bit toothless. Not through desire, as they’re trying to get the ball forward and put pressure on the defence, but in quality.
There are opportunities for the hosts to hurt United but they seem reluctant to take them.
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man Utd
18:22 , Mike Jones36 mins: Marcus Rashford may just be the ultimate confidence player. When he’s on song he’s electric and fantastic to watch but when he’s not he looks lethargic and frustrated.
The reports that United are open to selling him won’t help but if he, and the team, can find a bit of form things could turnaround. They need a spark though, a bit of creativity and forward momentum.
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man Utd
18:19 , Mike Jones33 mins: Andre Onana also seems to have shaken off his early wobbles. He wants to be assertive and dominating of his own penalty area but sometimes puts himself in terrible positions that negatively impact the team.
Can United push on from this more stable base and get the opening goal?
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man Utd
18:17 , Mike Jones30 mins: Half an hour played and Man Utd are settling down, especially in their own final third. They’re starting to string together a spell and when space opens up they do look dangerous.
Zirkzee lays the ball off to the running Fernandes who carries it forward and shoots forcing a fine save out of Martin Jedlicka.
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man Utd
18:13 , Mike Jones27 mins: Close! Amad Diallo wins a free kick that Bruno Fernandes floats into the box. Joshua Zirkzee wins the header and glances it on to the back post.
Casemiro is hovering and sticks out his foot but can’t reach the ball. If he had that would have certainly snuck into the back of the net.
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man Utd
18:11 , Mike Jones24 mins: Man Utd are starting to pass the ball around nicely but Plzen are well drilled and have plenty of men behind the ball. United are struggling to put something together in the final third and don’t look confident to take any risks.
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man Utd
18:08 , Mike Jones21 mins: Matej Vydra and Pavel Sulc combine after bringing down an aerial ball. Vydra’s cutback is cut out and United transition quickly into a counter-attack.
Amad, Fernandes and Rashford drive forward with the captain slipping Rashford into the left side of the box. Rashford tries to cross but scuffs the ball out of play.
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man Utd
18:03 , Mike Jones18 mins: Again United are so sloppy on the edge of the penalty area. Noussair Mazraoui tries to carry the ball out from the back but runs into trouble and the visitors lose possession.
Plzen resort to shooting from range and spooning the effort high and wide but Ruben Amorim won’t be pleased with this start. On another night, United would already have been punished.
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man Utd
17:59 , Mike Jones15 mins: Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo combine beautifully to get the ball forward on the right side of the pitch. Fernandes plays the one-two with Amad then continues his run into the box.
He sprints to the byline yet keeps the ball in play before looking for the pass into the six-yard box. His effort is intercepted and cleared away.
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man Utd
17:56 , Mike Jones12 mins: Casemiro seems okay and heads back onto the pitch as Plzen push high to keep the pressure on Ruben Amorim’s side.
A long throw comes into the box and Onana tries to punch it away. Again he misses it before Marcus Rashford fumbles an attempted clearance.
United look awful at the back. It’s too panicky.
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man Utd
17:54 , Mike Jones9 mins: Bruno Fernandes gets a talking to from the referee for a lunging tackle on Lukas Cerv but he avoids a yellow card. Plzen win a free kick inside United’s half and lift the ball into the penalty area.
Andre Onana comes off his line to punch the ball but doesn’t get there. Instead Daniel Vasulin wins the header but unfortunately for him can’t direct his header towards goal.
Onana’s lunge for the ball has had bad consequences. He clatters into Casemiro and takes the wind out of the midfielder.
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man Utd
17:51 , Mike Jones6 mins: Plzen have set up with five at the back and haven’t been too adventurous in the first few minutes of this game. United are expected to have most of the possession and it’ll be interesting to see if they can break their hosts down.
Joshua Zirkzee goes on a nice run to carry the ball into the box. He shrugs off a tackle and spins into the area before looking for a teammate in the six yard area.
The cross is deflected and goes out for a corner.
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man Utd
17:48 , Mike Jones3 mins: Man Utd are unbeaten in Europe this season but they have never won in the Czech Republic. Will they do so for the first time tonight?
At present there’s a midfield battle developing over possession of the ball with neither team coming out on top.
Kick off! Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Man Utd
17:46 , Mike JonesJoshua Zirkzee gets the ball rolling for Manchester United and knocks it back to Matthijs de Ligt in defence. The visitors attempt to build from the back and use the wide areas to get forward.
Viktoria Plzen vs Man Utd
17:41 , Mike JonesHere come the teams.
Bruno Fernandes leads out the Manchester United team with the desire and determination in his eyes. Ruben Amorim’s side have lost their last two games but they’ll hope to banish some familiar mistakes tonight.
Rasmus Hojlund knows Man Utd have to improve
17:35 , Mike JonesRasmus Hojlund said he felt “quite devastated” after “irritating goals” and a poor all-round display cost Manchester United in the home loss to Nottingham Forest.
Head coach Ruben Amorim this week hit his first bumps in the road having made a positive start to life at Old Trafford, with Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat at Arsenal compounded as they lost 3-2 on Saturday.
Nikola Milenkovic exposed United’s recent set-piece issues by heading Forest ahead inside 90 seconds, with Hojlund levelling during a fightback that ended early in the second half.
We all need to do better – Rasmus Hojlund knows Man Utd have to improve
‘It’s a huge challenge'
17:30 , Mike Jones“It’s a huge challenge and a chance to compete against a team of such quality,” says Pavel Sulc, who scored in the Czech club’s 2-1 win against Dynamo Kyiv. “At the same time, it’s a boyhood dream come true.”
Viktoria Plzen vs Man Utd
17:25 , Mike JonesPlzen have conceded just once in their last 12 European home games, Real Sociedad’s strike in their 2-1 loss in Czechia on Matchday 3 ending an 11-game run of continental clean sheets.
Is winning Europa League the best way to get Champions League football?
17:20 , Mike JonesRuben Amorim was asked this question in his pre-match press conference and replied: “I as a coach I cannot focus on just that. The way we can see in the future, titles or something. Our goal is to win our Premier League. That is our goal.
“Of course you can do the math and you can understand that for a big club like us to be in the Champions League is so important. You can see and look at the table that from the Europa League, maybe it is easier.
“You can then perhaps take this information for this context but I am not focused on that and our goal is to win the Premier League, not just to go to the Champions League.
“To go [to] the Champions League is an important point to win the Premier League, that is really clear. But for me, the most important thing is to win and to see something different in the team in every game.”
Ruben Amorim rues lack of ‘heart’ in Man Utd loss to Nottingham Forest
17:15 , Mike JonesRuben Amorim rued Manchester United’s lack of ‘quality’ and ‘heart’ during a 3-2 loss to Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford with the result United’s first home defeat to Forest in 30 years.
The head coach also urged players and supporters to trust the process as he pledged to turn things around like he did at Sporting Lisbon.
Erik ten Hag’s successor enjoyed a promising start to life in the hotseat, but repeatedly attempted to manage expectations as wins against Bodo/Glimt and Everton followed a draw at Ipswich.
Ruben Amorim rues lack of ‘heart’ in Man Utd loss to Nottingham Forest
Onana errors not to blame
17:10 , Mike JonesRuben Amorim refused to blame Andre Onana for a couple of mistakes which led to goals against Nottingham Forest and claimed that the team need to help out the goalkeeper.
He said: “Onana already saved us a lot of times, so we have to find a way when this happens to Onana or to Altay (Bayindir) or to Tom (Heaton).
“We have to turn around and to score two goals to help our goalkeeper, the same way that he saves us, for example, in Ipswich. We have to continue. We lose as a team, we have to improve in all aspects of the game.”
Amorim needs time to address United’s faults
17:05 , Mike JonesThe Portuguese boss said that it would take time to address all of United’s faults. After the defeat to Forest he said: “We already knew (it would be tough). It will be a long journey, but we want to win because this is a massive club.
“You feel it when you lose one game, it’s really hard for everybody. I can understand that. I can feel it in the stadium after the first goal.
“We understand the context, but we have to keep (working) in the same way, doing the same things. The same words I have here with Everton, I have today. Continue to focus on the performance.
“We need to improve in a lot of aspects of the game and continue to do the same things tomorrow in training.”
Hojlund on Forest defeat
17:00 , Mike Jones“Annoying to concede three at home against Forest,” Man Utd striker Rasmus Hojlund said after that defeat, “It was some irritating goals, you can say. Then again we need to do better, all of us. It’s not only individuals. We all need to do better and, yeah, today it could have been much, much better.
“It’s a bit annoying. They score very early in the second half and also very early in the first half, which is sort of killing the momentum a little bit and the confidence as well.
“I think we play alright in the first half after we get the first goal, but it kills the game a little bit that they get the two goals (after half-time).
“But, then again, we play at home and we’ve still got, I think, 35 minutes left, so obviously we need to do more and see if we could have at least got a point.”
Rio Ferdinand wants Man Utd to be as ‘brutal’ with players as Dan Ashworth exits
16:55 , Mike JonesRio Ferdinand has questioned Manchester United’s decision to part company with sporting director Dan Ashworth after just five months and called on club co-owners Ineos to be just as “brutal” with their under-performing playing squad.
Ashworth left the club over the weekend, with his exit seen as part of a mass restructuring at Old Trafford, which has seen around 250 staff members made redundant since the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Rio Ferdinand wants Man Utd to be as ‘brutal’ with players as Dan Ashworth exits
Malacia on Amorim
16:50 , Mike Jones“There’s a lot of changing. But I like [it] and what I know about this manager is he’s very clear, for all of us,” Tyrell Malacia explained during his pre-match press conference.“That’s the most important thing, we know what we have to do in the game.”
Malacia feels he is improving
16:45 , Mike JonesTyrell Malacia feels he is improving game-by-game after his return from injury and hopes to impress Ruben Amorim by understanding the manager’s system.
Speaking before tonight’s game he said: “[By] training every day, I have to improve week by week by playing games of course.“I could already see a difference between my first game against Bodo/Glimt and Arsenal. Other than that, as a team, we are improving and trying to adapt to the playing style of the manager. I’m happy.”
Amorim focused on improving United’s players
16:40 , Mike JonesRuben Amorim rejected the notion that Man Utd need to sell players in their squad and replace them with ones more suited to the manager’s style of play.
Instead he says he is focused on improving those that are already at Old Trafford. Amorim said: “No, I’m really focused on to see my players and to understand my players. I think that is one of the problems of the clubs.
“We have to focus on what we have. We have to focus on the academy and also to have a clear profile when you get the players. So, it’s a lot of details you have to manage. You can see at set-pieces, sometimes you look at our team and we are a small team compared to others.
“Every detail counts and we have to be very clear first in the profiles, arrange all the process and then go to that phase of buying and selling players.
“But we have, like Ty (Malacia), international players, good players and we need time to teach them our ideas and then we will see because this is a massive club. If we don’t win, the coach goes, the player goes, so you have to know that.
“We have to improve as a team, we have to arrange a lot of things in our club before thinking just in buying or selling players. There’s a lot to do, so let’s focus on improving our players, improving our academy and then see.”
Manchester United line-ups
16:31 , Mike JonesMan Utd XI:
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 12, 2024
Amorim explains Nottingham Forest defeat
16:24 , Mike JonesThe Manchester United boss was quick to explain where he feels his team can improve after losing to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
He said: “It is really simple. I think against Nottingham [Forest] we should pass the ball a little bit quicker, so it is with safety but a little bit more quicker when everything is blocked.
“For me the most important point is that every player should be in the good position to start when we play. We were controlling the game and we started the second half very well and if you remember one play, Leny Yoro makes a one-two, jumps and then makes a bad pass. He [gives them] a counter attack and then, a goal.
“We have to continue to play in the same way but with a low block. It is this kind of details and you have to play the ball by preparing to lose the ball sometimes. These kind of points are really important in our team because in the past, and still, in this moment you can see a lot of moments like this.
“I can remember just from the top of my head, the game against Liverpool, all the goals were mostly like that and we are doing work on that. You see the same thing last week so we are trying to improve with the ball but also the way when you can lose the ball, you are covering our own goal.”
Man Utd discover a painful lesson as Ruben Amorim’s honeymoon period abruptly ended
16:17 , Mike JonesA historic victory for a catalytic Portuguese manager at Old Trafford. Just what Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the powerbrokers who headhunted Ruben Amorim imagined, but for one minor detail. The winner was not their glamorous newcomer but the unfashionable figure of Nuno Espirito Santo, who has steered Nottingham Forest to heights few dared to think they could touch. As for Amorim, his honeymoon period seems fleeting. The problems at Manchester United, it appears, could only be concealed for three matches.
Since then, Amorim has suffered back-to-back defeats. If losing at Arsenal had a logic, being beaten by Forest at Old Trafford was the sort of chastening setback that happened all too often in Erik ten Hag’s final 14 months in charge. Amorim’s United displayed familiar flaws and new shortcomings, contributing to their own downfall with individual errors, slow starts and set-piece failings. Much as in Ten Hag’s unravelling, United were too open, too liable to be counterattacked and left the midfield too empty. Some of this was Ten Hag-style chaos.
Man Utd discover a painful lesson as Amorim’s honeymoon period ends
Man Utd’s travelling squad for tonight’s game
16:10 , Mike JonesGoalkeepers: Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton, Andre Onana.
Defenders: Diogo Dalot, Matthijs De Ligt, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui, Leny Yoro.
Midfielders: Casemiro, Toby Collyer, Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, Manuel Ugarte.
Forwards: Amad, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford, Joshua Zirkzee.
Man Utd prepare for Viktoria Plzen
16:03 , Mike JonesAs team news approaches here’s a few pics on Man Utd preparing for tonight’s game:
Ruben Amorim makes frank admission over Dan Ashworth’s Manchester United exit
15:56 , Mike JonesRuben Amorim admits sporting director Dan Ashworth’s shock exit is “not the best situation” but the Manchester United head coach believes the club’s vision remains clear and unaffected.
Sunday morning brought the stunning announcement that the 53-year-old was leaving Old Trafford just 159 days after an agreement was finally struck to bring him from Newcastle.
Ashworth’s departure was met by surprise from afar as well as inside United, where the PA news agency understands there was shock from many staff despite a sense that things had not been going smoothly within the hierarchy.
Ruben Amorim makes frank admission over Dan Ashworth’s Manchester United exit
More on Ashworth’s exit
15:49 , Mike Jones“I have felt, since day one, the support from everybody so one person leaving doesn’t change nothing,” Ruben Amorim added.
“Of course it is a bad situation like I said because you are talking about a human being, a professional that supports us as a team. I think the most important thing is that the vision is really clear and that vision does not change only because one person leaves.”
Amorim address Ashworth departure
15:42 , Mike JonesAs head coach of Manchester United, Ruben Amorim is discovering that he cannot just stick to football when it comes to speaking to the media.
So much is happening off the pitch, such as the exit of sporting director Dan Ashworth, that the manager will always have to have his say on things.
Amorim was asked about Ashworth’s departure this week and he said: “The first thing that I want to say is since the first day I have felt great support from the ownership.
“From Omar [Berrada] and then also from Jason [Wilcox], and Dan [Ashworth] was part of that. Really, really, really felt the support from them also.
“But this is football and sometimes these things happen with players and with coaches. I know it is not the best situation but the important thing is we continue in our way. The path is really clear for everybody. I think this can happen in football.”
Inside Dan Ashworth’s farcical Man Utd exit and the power struggle in the Old Trafford soap opera
15:35 , Mike JonesDan Ashworth has left Manchester United because Sir Jim Ratcliffe wanted to act on something he felt wasn’t working rather than wait in the hope that it would work. The stance of the club’s principal decision-maker is that there is no time to waste. It has led to shock at Carrington.
The big question at Old Trafford is whether that same seriousness will now extend to United’s leadership structure, given that things look increasingly farcical.
Personality clashes have contributed to Ashworth’s departure. He wasn’t really fitting into the structure either, although that was partly due to a case of “too many cooks”. Alongside these reasons was also doubt about some of Ashworth’s judgement.
Inside Dan Ashworth’s farcical Man Utd exit and the power struggle at Old Trafford
Predicting Man Utd’s line-up
15:28 , Mike JonesWith a Manchester derby looming at the weekend and United also in need of performing well in the Europa League, Ruben Amorim seems somewhat stuck with how best to utilise his squad.
The manager has been vocal about drilling each of his players with his 3-4-3 system so expect a fairly strong team to head onto the pitch tonight.
Possible line-up
Man Utd XI: Onana; Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez; Dalot, Eriksen, Casemiro, Malacia; Rashford, Mount; Zirkzee
What is the Manchester United team news?
15:21 , Mike JonesApart from Luke Shaw, United had full availability for training on Wednesday as Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof returned to the group.
Amorim could decide to rest players such as Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby against City. Marcus Rashford, who has started on the bench for their last two games, may start.
How can I watch it?
15:14 , Mike JonesIt will be shown live on TNT Sports 2, with coverage starting at 5:30pm. TNT Sports customers can also stream the match live on Discovery+. You can purchase a TNT Sports subscription via discovery+ here, for only £30.99 per month.
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When is Viktoria Plzen vs Manchester United?
15:07 , Mike JonesThe match will kick off at 5:45pm GMT (UK time) on Thursday 12 December.
Viktoria Plzen vs Man Utd
15:00 , Mike JonesManchester United will look to bounce back from two defeats in a row under Ruben Amorim as they return to Europa League action against Viktoria Plzen.
The list of problems Amorim has inherited on the pitch were clear in the losses at Arsenal and at home to Nottingham Forest - while there has been further drama off the pitch with the departure of sporting director Dan Ashworth.
United’s position in the Europa League standings has been improved by back-to-back wins over PAOK and Bodo/Glimt at Old Trafford and they sit 12th in the table with the chance to climb further.
That’s one place above Viktoria Plzen, who have an identical record to United with two wins and three draws from their first five games as they prepare to host Amorim’s side.
United have won away from home just once this season - at bottom-club Southampton in the Premier League.
Good evening!
11:43 , Mike JonesWelcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Europa League action as Manchester United look to shake off the demons of recent defeats and get back to winning ways against Viktoria Plzen.
Ruben Amorim’s side have lost twice in a row and the Portuguese boss will be keen to build some momentum ahead of the weekend’s Manchester derby.
We’ll have all the team news, line-ups and updates throughout the evening so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 5.45pm.
