Ruben Amorim has become just the third Manchester United manager in history to win his first two matches in a major European competition in charge of the 20-time English champions.
The Portuguese has followed Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson in achieving that feat courtesy of Man United's 2-1 success over Viktoria Plzen in Thursday's Europa League contest in the Czech Republic.
A huge error from Red Devils goalkeeper Andre Onana allowed Plzen to take the lead in the 48th minute, with Matej Vydra netting from close range, but Rasmus Hojlund came off the bench to net a double for the visitors.
The result moved the 20-time English champions into fifth spot in the Europa League table, picking up 12 points from their opening six matches in the competition.
Amorim's first European match in charge of Man United ended in a 3-2 home success over Bodo/Glimt, and he followed that up with a narrow victory over Plzen, as the Czech outfit lost a home European game for the first time since 2022.
Only three Man United managers in history have won their first two games in European competitions:
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 12, 2024
■ Sir Matt Busby
■ Sir Alex Ferguson
■ Ruben Amorim pic.twitter.com/UG6x1H0LVQ
Man United came from behind to beat Plzen courtesy of Hojlund brace
"We improved during the game. We controlled the game in the first half, but without any great chances. 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," Amorim told TNT Sports after the contest.
"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.
"The speed improved. I told the players we need more movement in front because they have to feel we are a danger. 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."
© Imago
Hojlund says Man United "still need time"
Hojlund also spoke after the match, with the Denmark international insisting that Man United "need more time", as they continue to get used to playing in a new 3-4-3 system under Amorim.
"It was a bit difficult out there. It was very cold today and the pitch was a bit boggy as well, but we solved it in the second half," said the forward, who has now scored seven times in all competitions this season.
"I think we didn't play too direct in the first half. We needed to play over them and behind them more because there was space to run into. Especially with the boggy pitch I was talking about, if we won the second balls, you can play from there.
"We still need more time. It's still very early days. It's about getting our routines together and it's getting there. But it still needs practice and time. I know it sounds odd, but we don't get enough time on the training ground, so we have to train it during the matches. But it's getting better and better."
Man United will be bidding to build on their confidence-boosting win when they head to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon for the Manchester derby against wounded Premier League champions Manchester City.
Matt Law
