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Thursday 12 December 2024 21:03
Manchester United emerged 2-1 victors against Viktoria Plzen in our Europa League clash at the Doosan Arena, and our Man of the Match award had one natural home.
The first half left a lot to be desired from both sides, neither making a solid attempt on goal, and the game looked like it may be ebbing away from the Reds when Matej Vydra sent Plzen ahead a few minutes after the interval.
United boss Ruben Amorim noticed the need for a change, making substitutions either side of the hour mark and introducing Rasmus Hojlund, Antony and Mason Mount to the field.
It was the first of those, Hojlund, who would put his stamp on the game, feeding off some strong wing play from Amad for his first, before notching his second, and the winner, after clever work by Bruno Fernandes at a free-kick.
But was it enough to clinch our Man-of-the-Match award? Keep scrolling to find out…
Earning a seismic 65 per cent of the fan vote it was, of course, Hojlund who you voted as your star performer.
The Czech side proved to be tricky opposition, but the energy, drive and determination of the Denmark international saw him drag the Reds from a losing position into the lead with his two goals, bagging all three points and a provisional berth in the automatic qualifying slots of the Europa League standings.
Speaking about his impact to MUTV after the game, Hojlund said: “Yeah, I think the game suited me well. The opponent was very brave to play man-to-man.
“That’s where I have my qualities, to run the channels, kill the defenders with my speed and my power and get in front of goal. That’s what I’m trying to do and, yeah, obviously I’m very happy with the two goals, but most importantly getting the win.”
Our no.9’s brace off the bench made it difficult for anyone else to compete, but Amad was key to the equaliser and he earned second place with 20 per cent of the vote.
Picking up the ball from Antony on the right wing, the Ivorian left Lukas Kalvach for dead with a neat nutmeg to get himself inside the box, before letting off a shot which was blocked straight into the path of a well-placed Hojlund to finish.
Captain Bruno Fernandes rounded off the poll in third place with nine per cent. He never stopped trying to make things happen — creating seven chances in the game — and was finally rewarded in the 88th minute when his smart free-kick led to the winner.
Congratulations, Rasmus, and thank you to everyone who voted.
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Thursday 12 December 2024 21:03
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