Five things noticed as Manchester United star forces his way into Rúben Amorim’s best XI vs Plzen

Five things noticed as Rúben Amorim secured a 2-1 win over FC Viktoria Plzeň in the Europa League thanks to a second-half double from Rasmus Højlund.

Rúben Amorim chose to start Marcus Rashford as Manchester United faced FC Viktoria Plzeň away from home in the Europa League on Thursday evening.

The tie started with United dominating in possession. Still, much like against Nottingham Forest on the weekend, moments of a lack of concentration gave Plzen some confidence, with United failing to capitalise on their good moments.

Read More: Player Ratings – Viktoria Plzen vs Manchester United (Europa League)

As the game went on, United continued to look sloppy at points, with poor passes and miscommunication leading to failed attacks. The sides went into the changing rooms without breaking the deadlock after 45 minutes.

However, just minutes into the second half, the home side gained an unexpected lead as a massive blunder from André Onana allowed the side an easy opening goal. However, following a fantastic run and shot from Amad Diallo, Rasmus Højlund levelled the scores, tapping in the rebound after the winger’s initial effort.

Then, while Mason Mount missed two good chances to score, hope started to fade, but a great assist from Bruno Fernandes was able to supply Højlund with another chance as the Danish international finished what ended as the winning goal on the night.

Here are five things noticed from the tie.

#1 – Amorim continues experimenting

With Amorim now approaching his second month in charge of the side, he is continuing to experiment, with the 39-year-old choosing to start Amad further forward for the first time, with Fernandes beginning as a central midfielder again.

In the first half, Amad looked the most composed of United’s players, not putting much of a foot wrong – however, there was a moment where he had the chance to play Fernandes through on goal, but instead chose to feed Rashford, with the chance then fizzling out.

In the second half, Amad continued to be United’s best player, single-handedly creating Højlund’s equaliser and earning himself a Player of the Match award.

#2 – Onana’s dodgy moments

Although Onana has been one of United’s best players this season, fans certainly had their hearts in their mouths during the opening states of the Plzen tie as the Cameroon international made multiple errors in judgement.

While it didn’t affect United in the first half, they paid the price at the beginning of the second, with the goalkeeper solely responsible for Plzen’s opening goal with his wayward pass failing the club’s defence.

The 28-year-old is lucky that Højlund’s second-half brace has saved his skin for the evening, but his poor performance cannot be ignored.

#3 – Zirkzee’s quietly good performance

For all United’s disconnect at points in the game, Joshua Zirkzee quietly had a pretty decent fixture on Thursday evening.

Although there were a few sloppy moments, his confidence is starting to grow after a poor start to life at the club, as his hold-up play was good, and he drove well with the ball at his feet.

He was less impactful once Højlund was substituted at striker and he moved to the left, but credit where credit is due, he was one of the brigher sparks in the Czech Republic on the evening.

#4 – Højlund’s starting place

With Højlund having scored five goals in Amorim’s opening six fixtures, there is little doubt that he has now cemented his place as the team’s first-choice striker.

Although it’s expected that Amorim will continue to rotate his players regularly, Højlund’s six-goal involvements, including his recent assist, has proven he is a level above the rest up front for now.

#5 – An ugly but necessary win

United’s away victory against Plzen, which was their first in Europe since March 2023, was ugly, but needed.

The club are now firmly within the pack that finishes in the top eight in the Europa League, something Amorim admitted the other day they cannot miss out on.

United won without flair and, to be honest, with a fair amount of luck. Sometimes that is needed.

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