Viktoria Plzen vs Man Utd LIVE: Europa League score and updates ...
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Manchester United travel to the Czech Republic to face Viktoria Plzen in tonight’s Europa League action hoping to respond to two consecutive defeats under Ruben Amorim.
After a promising start to his tenure, the Red Devils suffered back-to-back Premier League defeats to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest leaving the Portuguese boss facing his first dip in form. But Amorim will be confident, especially about improving United’s standing in the Europa League despite the clube being embroiled in off-field drama.
Consecutive wins over PAOK and Bodo/Glimt have sent the team up to 12th in the league table and they are only two points away from fourth with a realistic chance of securing automatic promotion.
Their opponents tonight have an identical record to United with two wins and three draws from their first five games and sit one place below Amorim’s side meaning they would jump ahead of United should they triumph.
Follow all the Europa League action with our live blog below:
Mike Jones12 December 2024 18:37
45+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?
Mike Jones12 December 2024 18:33
45 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.
Mike Jones12 December 2024 18:30
42 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.
Mike Jones12 December 2024 18:29
39 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.
Mike Jones12 December 2024 18:24
36 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.
Mike Jones12 December 2024 18:22
33 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?
Mike Jones12 December 2024 18:19
30 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.
Mike Jones12 December 2024 18:17
27 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.
Mike Jones12 December 2024 18:13
24 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.
Mike Jones12 December 2024 18:11
