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Manchester United will face Viktoria Plzeň in Czechia this night, aiming to seize a helpful away win within the Europa League.
The encounter would be the first match between the 2 sides in historical past and each will intention for a vital win as they each sit on 9 factors within the desk, trying to land within the high eight positions, which guarantee computerized qualification to the final 16 section.
After two successive defeats on the bounce for Ruben Amorim, he can be aiming to get again to successful methods this night.
With United’s poor league kind and hard attracts away to Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal ready within the home cups, most followers will have a look at the Europa League as probably the most practical path to silverware this season.
Listed below are three storylines followers are discussing earlier than the match.
Rasmus Hojlund trying to enter report books
Based on the BBC, “twenty-one-year-old Rasmus Hojlund has scored eight main European objectives for Manchester United – the one gamers to attain extra aged 21 or youthful for the membership are Marcus Rashford and Wayne Rooney (9 every).”
The Dane has not at all times been at his most free-flowing in home soccer, however he has at all times scored in Europe.
He discovered the online 5 instances within the Champions League group stage final season and already has three objectives to his title within the Europa League this season.
He was electric versus FK Bodø/Glimt final trip within the competitors and can hope he can seize not less than one other two objectives within the remaining three group video games to interrupt Rooney and Rashford’s spectacular goalscoring feat.
The Dane definitely has his work minimize out to catch both participant’s whole as Rashford has 26 European objectives and Rooney 39.
United aiming for first win in Czechia
United don’t have the longest historical past in the case of going through Czech sides.
“Manchester United have by no means gained away in opposition to Czech opposition earlier than, drawing two and shedding one, with this their first such go to since a 0-0 draw at Sparta Prague in October 2004.”
United have additionally solely performed two sides from Czechia competitively earlier than – Dukla Prague and Sparta Prague.
While United are but to win away, they’ve gained each match at Outdated Trafford, with Ruud van Nistelrooy scoring all 4 objectives in a 4-1 win versus Sparta Prague in 2004.
United aiming to finish European away day woes
It’s not solely away to sides from Czechia United appear to have hassle with as they’re trying to find their first win away in Europe in far too lengthy.
They’ve drawn each away video games to Fenerbahce and Porto this season and didn’t win any final 12 months. In truth, their final away win was at Actual Betis in March 2023, 21 months in the past.
Curiously United have been in high quality goalscoring kind away from residence, having scored three objectives in opposition to Bayern Munich, FC Copenhagen, Galatasaray and FC Porto however failing to win any of the matches.
While it’s regular to have a stronger residence report, particularly in Europe, United might want to put this statistic proper quickly if they’re to develop into critical contenders to win the competitors.
Featured picture Julian Finney through Getty Photographs
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