Manchester United sharpened up to snatch late Europa League win, says Ruben Amorim

PLZEN – Manchester United learnt lessons from their bland first half at Viktoria Plzen and sped up the action in the second period, allowing them to get a 2-1 win in the Europa League on Dec 12, manager Ruben Amorim said.

Striker Rasmus Hojlund, coming off the bench for an ineffective and lacklustre Marcus Rashford, scored twice after the break to allow United to come back from a goal down for their third consecutive European win.

“We improved during the game. We controlled the game in the first half, but without any great chances,” Amorim told TNT Sports.

“We lacked speed and movement, and we didn’t control the ball because the pitch was difficult to make the connections with the strikers. Viktoria didn’t have chances either.

“In the second half, we gave a goal away but we reacted well. We pushed the opponents to their own half and we managed to score. The win is important at the moment and it’s good to prepare for the next game.”

United, still unbeaten in this season’s competition, had more possession throughout the game but had to stand up to an initial spell of pressure from the hosts, who ended up taking the lead in the 48th minute at the Stadion mesta Plzne.

Forward Matej Vydra capitalised on an error from goalkeeper Andre Onana to stun the Red Devils, before Hojlund scored twice in the last half an hour to seize a vital victory for the English club.

The winner came two minutes from time when Bruno Fernandes cleverly slipped a free kick into the 21-year-old’s feet and he held off a defender before slipping home.

“The speed improved (in the second half). I told the players we need more movement in front because they have to feel we are a danger,” Amorim added.

“We changed a little bit of our game and the players from the bench also helped. We improved not just the way we play, but also the speed of the game.

“We are improving in some details. We controlled the transitions very well. We were aggressive when we lost the ball. We need to spend more time near the opposition goal.”

The Portuguese manager was particularly happy with the performance of Hojlund, who needed just six minutes to cancel out Plzen’s opener before sealing the win.

“He is improving, he is more near the goal now. He knows better the movement he has to do. He could score more this evening. But he is scoring, working and controlling the ball better,” Amorim added.

The Dane has been involved in six out of 12 of United’s goals in the Europa League this season, scoring five of them.

United are seventh in the standings on 12 points after six games.

A top-eight finish will see them qualify automatically for the round of 16, while finishing ninth to 24th will earn them a play-off tie to reach that stage.

United, who visit rivals Manchester City in the English Premier League on Dec 15, next host Rangers on Jan 23 before their final league-phase fixture at Steaua Bucharest a week later.

Meanwhile, Viktoria coach Miroslav Koubek said his Czech side were “sad and disappointed”.

“We deserved a point,” the 73-year-old said.

“My colleague Amorim sent world-class players into the game, who escalated the match. Our options are a little more limited in this regard. United gained ground with the substitutions.

“But I am proud of the team. The boys gave their all. They made it difficult for Manchester, we were a worthy opponent. We resisted heroically. We once again convinced ourselves that we can keep up with such opponents.”

In other notable matches, Athletic Bilbao won 2-0 at Fenerbahce through a first-half brace by Inaki Williams. Jose Mourinho’s side were left with 10 men in the 69th minute following a second yellow card for defender Mert Muldur.

AS Roma beat Sporting Braga 3-0 at Stadio Olimpico, while Malmo held Galatasaray to a last-gasp 2-2 home draw. REUTERS, AFP