Manchester United faced off against Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League on Thursday evening, claiming all three points.
The game was a tough one to watch for the entire first half as Manchester United failed to create any sort of attacking threat.
With Ruben Amorim’s Red Devils off the pace, Viktoria Plzen made them pay by capitalising on a shocking error from Andre Onana early in the second half.
However, this served as a wake-up call for United, with Amad Diallo sprinkling some magic onto the otherwise drab game, with one run resulting in Rasmus Hojlund scoring his fourth goal under Amorim.
Hojlund then made it 2-1 in the 88th minute, after an impressive set-piece routine crafted by Bruno Fernandes.
A superb comeback from United which has the Red Devils fifth in the Europa League as things stand.
Here are five things we learned from the game.
Rasmus Hojlund scores a brace
The debate over who should be starting as a striker for United seems to be pretty clearly answered now after Hojlund was once again among the goals for his fourth and fifth under Amorim.
The first goal itself was not special, however, he was in the right place at the right time, a true striker’s goal. The second was a well-taken chance which showcased his strength and finishing, brilliant centre-forward play.
If United can continue handing Hojlund chances like this on a regular basis, he will succeed at the club. He just needs the team to create for him.
Amad Diallo has become United’s star man
It is completely crazy to think that Erik ten Hag was not using Amad as a key player considering how sublime he has been under Amorim.
By assisting Hojlund’s goal, Amad made it eight goal contributions in eight games and without him, we dread to think where United would be.
Amad is undroppable and as each game goes by he continues to hammer home this fact.
Marcus Rashford plays his way out of the Manchester Derby
While multiple players were poor against Viktoria Plzen, Marcus Rashford was the standout underperformed.
Rashford has been linked with an exit this week and did little to make his case to be kept by Ineos beyond this season.
Rashford failed to do much at all in an attacking sense while also looking completely unbothered off the ball. Not a good look amid rumours and ahead of the Manchester Derby which he has surely played himself out of starting.
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Andre Onana’s mistakes come in bunches
Last season, Onana was at fault for United crashing out of Europe with his mistakes being far too recurrent as Ten Hag’s Red Devils finished bottom of the group.
This season has been much better for Onana and he has been among the very best Premier League goalkeepers, but recently errors have been creeping back into his game, with an absolute howler on Thursday.
While trying to build out from the back, Onana – in a rather David de Gea-esque manner – passed the ball straight to an on-running Plzen forward who made sure to punish the Cameroonian. If these errors continue, Amorim will have doubts about his future.
Ruben’s Red Devils show character
After Onana’s fumble at the back, United were heading for a third successive defeat which almost certainly would have seen questions asked.
However, with five well-thought-out substitutions, United came from behind to win all three points which shows the character of the team.
A comeback like this is exactly what Amorim needed ahead of the Manchester Derby.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/YqfwVB1