Manchester United will aim to continue the unbeaten start to the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League when they take on Viktoria Plzen at Doosan Arena on Thursday.
The curtains will fall on Matchday 6 of the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League on Thursday, which will feature 17 matches. The action on the day will start with eight simultaneous games, including Viktoria Plzen vs Manchester United at Doosan Arena.
Viktoria Plzen and Manchester United have similar records after the opening five outings in the UEFA Europa League this season. Both teams are unbeaten while amassing nine points, winning two games and playing out three draws. The only point of difference between the two sides is the goals scored, with Manchester United finding the back of the net one more time.
Both teams started their campaigns in the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League with three successive stalemates before clinching back-to-back wins. As for matters at home, Viktoria Plzen’s most recent defeat in the Czech First League came nearly six weeks ago.
Since then, the Czech giants have embarked on a five-game unbeaten run to climb to second in the standings. However, Manchester United have seen their momentum dissipate after losing successive games this past week, going down to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest.
Thursday’s clash will be the first-ever match featuring Viktoria Plzen and Manchester United. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Viktoria Plzen
Miroslav Koubek has a new injury concern hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. The Viktoria Plzen manager will be bereft of the services of half a dozen players vs Manchester United on Thursday.
Svetozar Markovic is the latest absentee, having been taken to hospital for tests after sustaining an injury in last weekend’s win over Karvina. Meanwhile, Prince Kwabena Adu has missed the five most recent games due to visa issues. Jan Sykora, Christophe Kabongo, and Rafiu Durosinmi are long-term absentees, while Cory Sene is not in Viktoria Plzen’s Europa League squad.
Martin Jedlicka will take his spot between the sticks, with Viktoria Plzen lining up in a 3-4-1-2 formation in front of him vs Manchester United on Thursday. The central defensive unit should feature Sampson Dweh, Lukas Hejda, and Vaclav Jemelka. Cadu and Cheick Souare will be the two wing-backs.
The duo will aim to support the centre-backs during the defensive phases while providing the width in the final third. As for the midfield unit, Lukas Cerv and Lukas Kalvach should pair up in the central areas, looking to keep things tight in the middle of the park. Finally, Matej Vydra, Erik Jirka, and Pavel Sulc should form a fluid offensive trifecta.
Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2): Jedlicka; Dweh, Hejda, Jemelka; Cadu, Cerv, Kalvach, Souare; Sulc; Jirka, Vydra
Manchester United
Unlike his counterpart in the Viktoria Plzen dugout, Ruben Amorim does not have any new issues to worry about ahead of the trip to Doosan Arena. The Manchester United manager will be without three first-team players on Thursday.
Luke Shaw is the most notable absentee, with the Englishman recovering from his latest injury. The injury-riddled full-back accompanies Jonny Evans (knock) and Victor Lindelof (leg) on the sidelines.
Andre Onana is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Manchester United lining up in a 3-4-3 formation in front of him vs Viktoria Plzen. The central defensive unit should feature Noussair Mazraoui, Harry Maguire, and Lisandro Martinez. Antony and Tyrell Malacia will be the two wing-backs, with the duo looking to win over Amorim.
As for the midfield unit, Bruno Fernandes should reprise a deeper role, pairing up with Casemiro in the central areas. Finally, Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee will search for the goals, with Mason Mount completing the creative numbers in the offensive department.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Onana; Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez; Antony, Casemiro, Fernandes, Malacia; Mount, Rashford, Zirkzee
Key Stats
- Viktoria Plzen have lost both of their previous European games against English clubs, going down 3-0 at home and 4-2 away to Manchester City in the 2013/14 UEFA Champions League.
- Manchester United have never won an away game against Czech opposition before (D2 L1), with Thursday’s match their first visit to Czechia since a 0-0 draw at Sparta Praha in October 2004.
- Viktoria Plzen are the only team yet to have a build-up attack in the UEFA Europa League this season, while Manchester United have had the most (21) and are the only side to score more than once from a build-up attack (2).
- Manchester United are unbeaten in their five UEFA Europa League games this season (W2 D3), last starting a campaign of major European football by going six without loss in the 2013/14 season in the UEFA Champions League.
- Rasmus Hojlund has scored eight goals thus far in major European competition for Manchester United and could become the third player to net nine times for the Red Devils while aged 21 or younger after Marcus Rashford and Wayne Rooney (9 each).
Player to Watch
Marcus Rashford
With every passing game, Ruben Amorim is getting closer to identifying his go-to players and those he will look to offload next year. Recent reports have suggested that Marcus Rashford falls in the latter category, with Manchester United reportedly open to cashing in on him.
So, the English international will be eager to prove his naysayers wrong as he looks to resurrect his fortunes. Rediscovering his best form might be the most ideal method to earn his manager’s trust and faith. So, Rashford will view Thursday’s match as an opportunity to win over Amorim and save his Manchester United career.
Prediction
Viktoria Plzen 1-2 Manchester United
Ruben Amorim will be desperate to see a response from his players after successive defeats this past week, with the Portuguese tactician visibly frustrated with his team’s performance against Nottingham Forest. So, Viktoria Plzen might feel the visitors are ripe for the taking on Thursday.
However, the hosts have shown a soft underbelly, and Manchester United might take advantage of their defensive shortcomings. With both teams having vulnerabilities at the back, the two goalkeepers should remain busy. However, a purposeful Marcus Rashford might deliver an odd-goal win. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 victory for Amorim and his charges.