Manchester United Come From Behind To Neatly Beat Viktoria Plzen

 

Manchester United have secured an important victory just enough to take them to the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa League by beating Vikoria Plzen 2-1 in a comeback led by Rasmus Holjund. 

Plzen had taken the lead from the early stages of the second half before Holjund came in as a substitute to restore the Red Devils into the game by scoring a brace. The equaliser was from a tap in from close range but the winning goal was a delightful finish from a set-piece. 

Matej Vydra set the Czech in the lead in minutes after the halftime break as the side took advantage of United's flop. Sulc picked up the loose ball and set Vydra up for a long-range shot that beat Onana to the net. 

United later seized a counter to switch the gear on the Czech as Diallo barrelled into the box and smacked at the goalkeeper. The rebound landed on Holjund's foot for a tap in from a close range and United equalised. Bruno Fernandes later facilitated the winning goal from a free-kick, which Holjund latched onto and drilled a left-footed shot into the net. 

Plzen had their unbeaten run on their turf shredded, giving United the maximum points needed to move up to the fifth place of the group league standings. They are guaranteed to qualify for the knockouts the UEFA Europa League. 

Overview 

Plzen have been unbeaten at home for 12 consecutive games, and even as United pressed in the game, they were up to the task of causing an early scare by taking the lead just after the halftime break. United did have fair chances in the first quarter of the game but the need for connection between Diallo, Fernandez, and Rashford saw the scoring opportunities wasted. 

United later got fired up and that can be credited to replacements by Ruben Amorim. Diallo moved to the wings while Holjund played in the centre leaving Fernandez in the attacking midfield role and that loosened the Czechs for Holjund's moments that restored United into the game and in the lead.