Yahoo Sports ‘Take a bow, fella’: Utd claim first European away win in 20 months thanks to scintillating set-piece tactic
Manchester United have just claimed their first European away win in over 20 months.
A goalless first half was quickly cancelled out after the interval when Andre Onana gifted Viktoria Plzen their opener; he tried – and subsequently failed – to play out from the back, instead passing the ball directly to Pavel Sulc, who was able to play in Matej Vydra for perhaps the easiest goal of his career.
The equaliser came courtesy of Rasmus Hojlund 14 minutes later, though he has Amad Diallo to thank for his sixth goal of the campaign. The Ivorian completed a driving solo run into the box before dancing past his man and firing a shot at Martin Jedlicka, with Hojlund able to convert from the goalkeeper’s parried ball.
Impact player 💥
Hojlund taps in to level the scores for Manchester United ⚽️
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/b8ZliFzoos
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 12, 2024
United were then made to wait until the dying embers of the contest to seal their victory. A clever free-kick from Bruno Fernandes saw him fire a perfectly weighted pass – prompting the commentator to quip, ‘Take a bow, fella!’ – through to Hojlund, after which the striker quickly shifted his body, took a touch and watched his effort nestle into the net. Well-worked and, despite a dismal first 45, well-deserved for Ruben Amorim and his men.
Set piece magic for United 😍
Hojlund gets his second as some 'Bruno Brilliance' sets him clear to give Man Utd a late lead 👀
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/FQ2E2Rg8Gs
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 12, 2024
United round off 2024 in Europe with a win
United remain unbeaten in the first phase of this season’s Europa League and have now moved up to fifth in the new-look standings on 12 points, having recorded three wins and three draws. They don’t return to the competition until mid-January, so now they must turn their full attention to the Carabao Cup and Premier League action that awaits them over the festive – and most hectic – period, with five fixtures still on the horizon in December alone.
Footage courtesy of TNT Sports.
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