Manchester United came from a goal down to beat Plzen in the Europa League on Thursday night with Rasmus Hojlund the hero in front of goal.
Ruben Amorim’s attention turned to Europa League action on Thursday night after two straight Premier League defeats.
Manchester United were firm favourites here as Amorim and co travelled to take on Czech side Plzen away from home.
United were pretty dire in the first half though and then fell behind after the break as an Andre Onana blunder handed former Premier League striker Matej Vydra an easy goal.
A big response was required and United ended up snatching a win thanks to two goals from substitute Rasmus Hojlund.
This wasn’t vintage United but a win is a win – and United have three in a row in the Europa League.
Rasmus Hojlund on Manchester United goal
United were so flat in the first half and nothing quite clicked in the first half.
Joshua Zirkzee was handed a start in attack but offered little whilst Marcus Rashford endured a difficult evening.
Hojlund came on and made a big impact, scoring from close range to bring United level.
The Dane won it late on as he brilliantly rolled a defender from a Bruno Fernandes free kick and slotted home to win the game.
Hojlund spoke to TNT Sports after the game and was asked whether he and Bruno had worked on that routine before the game.
Hojlund responded by saying that it was off the cuff – but inspired by a goal Anthony Martial had previously scored for United.
The striker added that he felt he could get the better of the defender on his back and did so superbly, handing United all three points.
“I’ve seen Bruno do that before, I remember a goal with Anthony Martial where Bruno did the chip for him,” said Hojlund.
“I just thought that I had a good opportunity because I’m strong, I had him on this side so I could push him, spin him and finish,” he added.
Remembering Anthony Martial’s goal
We can only assume here that Hojlund is referring to Martial’s outstanding goal against Manchester City back in March 2020.
This was just months after Bruno joined United from Sporting and he made a huge impact against City.
Bruno found Martial’s run with a cute free kick, somewhat similar to the pass into Hojlund against Plzen.
Martial fired home to help United to a 2-0 win with Hojlund – more than three years before he even arrived at Old Trafford – clearly remembering that goal.
Martial is now shining for AEK Athens in Greece but that one goal back in 2020 proved to be the inspiration for Hojlund to become the match-winner against Plzen.
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