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Hojlund plays while the visitors struggle


Rasmus Hojlund came off the bench to score twice to give Ruben Amorim a much-needed win despite another substandard Manchester United performance in Pilsen.

Hojlund’s fourth and fifth goals under Amorim bailed United out of jail after a performance that once again left more questions than answers for the Portuguese.

After a poor first 45 minutes, United fell behind when another mistake from Andre Onana allowed veteran Matej Vydra to put Plzen ahead.

Hojlund came on for Marcus Rashford – the England international retired before being sent off after another lackluster performance – and scored an immediate equalizer before heading home the winner in the 88th minute.

The win moves United up to fifth in the Europa League table ahead of tonight’s later games, but they will need to show significant improvement if they are to make a deep run in the competition.

United was well below par in the gray first half

For what must have been an hour, Amorim wondered what he had signed up for as United struggled against limited opposition.

The visitors gave the ball away cheaply time and time again, struggling to bring any cohesion to their play on what was, admittedly, a difficult pitch.

The first half was largely devoid of any quality, and Plzen were just as bad as their famous opponents.

The two teams could only muster one decent chance each – Bruno Fernandes ran from his own half before firing a shot that drew a smart save from home goalkeeper Martin Jedlicka, while at the other end, Onana looked on gratefully as Cheick Souare rounded. . close to his left pillar.

The lack of attacking intent in the first period was best demonstrated by a combined xG of 0.36 – the lowest in the competition this season.

Oh-for Onana

At least Onana shook things up within three minutes of the restart, though not in the way Amorim would have liked.

After being at fault for Nottingham Forest’s two goals at Old Trafford this weekend, the Cameroonian dropped another problem by attempting a short Matthijs de Ligt pass from inside his own area. The ball was well short of the Dutchman, allowing Pavel Sulac to pounce on it and equalize for Vydra to tap home from close range.

Hojlund’s introduction is a game changer

United’s task would have been made much more difficult if referee Marian Barbu had taken a dim view of Rashford’s needless tackle on Plzen defender Sampson Dweh. Rashford, already yellow, escaped, who was immediately taken off by Amorim and replaced by Hojlund.

The Dane’s increased intensity lifted United and, after Jedlicka had a shot saved, Hojlund equalized shortly after the hour mark.

Not for the first time in recent weeks, the goal was created by the brilliance of Amad Diallo, Ivorian Svetozar Markovic before firing in a shot that Jedlicka deflected straight into the path of Hojlund who made no mistake.

United finally looked a threat with VAR rejecting penalty calls for handball by Dweh and Hojlund somehow failing to save Fernandes’ excellent cross from the left wing.

Substitute Mason Mount should have extended his lead in the 76th minute, but after Diallo had gone clear, he fired wide of the keeper.

Mount went close again before United scored a late winner.

Fernandes was the free-kick provider, but Hojlund still had plenty to do but was up to the task, dispossessing the ball from Aleksandar Sojka before firing past Jedlicka.

Antony almost added a third late on, but was denied by a fine save.





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