Rasmus Hoglund came on as a substitute to score twice and give Ruben Amorim a much-needed win despite another sub-par display from Manchester United in Pilsen.
The fourth and fifth goals scored by Hoglund under Amorim United were released from prison after a performance that once again raised more questions than answers for the Portuguese.
After a poor start for 45 minutes, United fell behind when another error from Andrej Onana enabled veteran striker Matej Vydra to put Plzen ahead.
Hoglund replaced Marcus Rashford – the England international who had previously been sent off after another lackluster display – and made an immediate impact, scoring an equalizer before netting the winner in the 88th minute.
Rasmus Hoglund in the Champions League and Europa League since joining Manchester United:
🏟 12 games
⚽ 10 goalsHe loves European evening 🤩 pic.twitter.com/xDrqw2Cmne
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 12, 2024
The win moves United up to fifth in the Europa League table ahead of later matches this evening, but they will have to show marked improvement if they are to make a deep run in the competition.
United were well below par in a dismal first half
For an hour, Amorim must have been wondering what he had scored with United struggling against limited opposition.
Time and again, the visitors gave the ball away cheaply, struggling to find any cohesion in their game on the difficult pitch.
The first half was largely devoid of any quality at all with Plzeň being as bad as their illustrious rivals.
The two teams only had one good chance each – Bruno Fernandes raced from his own half before unleashing a shot that was cleverly blocked by goalkeeper Martin Jedlicka, while at the other end Onana watched appreciatively as Cheikh Souari's shot was blocked. Wide narrowly from the left post.
The dearth of attacking intent in the opening period was best demonstrated by their xG total of 0.36 – the lowest in the competition this season.
Oh for Onana
Onana, at least, turned things around three minutes into the second half, but not in the way Amorim wanted.
After being at fault for two of Nottingham Forest's goals at Old Trafford at the weekend, the Cameroonian dropped another shout by attempting a short pass outside his own penalty area to Matthijs de Ligt. The ball was too far from the Dutchman, allowing Pavel Sulk to hit it and square it for Vydra to fire home from close range.
Andre Onana will never want to see that again 🫣
A gift from United goalkeeper and old Reading boy Matej Vydra pounces and puts Plzen ahead 😱
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/fHlsdddhgp
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 12, 2024
The introduction of Hojlund changes the game
United's task would have been made more difficult if referee Marian Barbeau had taken a dim view of Rashford's needless lunge on Plzeň full-back Sampson Doue. Rashford, who was already on a yellow card, escaped and was immediately replaced by Amorim and replaced by Hoglund.
The Dane's intensity increased United's lead, and after Jedlicka blocked one shot, Hoglund scored an equalizer just after the hour mark.
This is not the first time in recent weeks that the goal has been created brilliantly by Amad Diallo, and the Ivorian passed the ball to Svetozar Markovic before launching a shot that was blocked by Jedlicka directly into the path of Hoylund, who did not make a mistake.
United were finally looking for a threat as VAR rejected calls for a penalty for a handball by Dweh and Hojlund somehow failed to convert Fernandes' excellent cross from the left wing into the net.
Substitute Mason Mount should have taken advantage in the 76th minute, but after a clean pass from Diallo, Weekly shot at the goalkeeper.
Mount went close again before United scored a late winner.
Fernandes was the supplier from a free-kick but there was still plenty for Hoglund to do but he was up to the task, taking the ball away from Aleksandar Sojka before slotting past Jedlicka.
Anthony almost added the third goal late, but he blocked a good shot.
The magic piece for United 😍
Hoglund got his second goal as some 'Bruno brilliance' showed him to give Manchester United the late lead 👀
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/FQ2E2Rg8Gs
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 12, 2024
