Rasmus Højlund played the hero as Manchester United edged Viktoria Plzen 2-1 in a gripping UEFA Europa League clash on Thursday night. The young Danish striker came off the bench to turn the tide for the Red Devils, delivering two crucial goals that sealed a much-needed victory.
The match, played at Old Trafford, saw United dominate possession early but struggle to convert their chances into goals. Viktoria Plzen capitalized on a defensive lapse in the 34th minute, with striker Tomáš Chorý finding the back of the net to give the visitors a surprise lead.
Manchester United entered the break trailing, facing pressure from fans and pundits alike, as they needed a positive result to keep their Europa League campaign on track.
Manager Erik ten Hag introduced Rasmus Højlund in the 60th minute, a move that paid off spectacularly. The 21-year-old striker wasted no time making his presence felt, scoring his first goal in the 72nd minute with a powerful header off a pinpoint cross from Bruno Fernandes.
Højlund wasn’t done yet. Just six minutes later, he completed the turnaround with a composed finish after latching onto a clever through ball from Christian Eriksen, sending the Old Trafford faithful into raptures.
Erik ten Hag praised Højlund’s impact after the match, saying:
“Rasmus is a special player. His hunger and ability to perform in crucial moments are what this team needs. He showed great character tonight.”
The win sees Manchester United climb to second in their group, boosting their chances of advancing to the knockout stages. Viktoria Plzen, despite their spirited performance, remain at the bottom of the group standings.
United will look to carry this momentum into their Premier League fixtures, while fans hope Højlund’s heroics signal a turning point for the team’s season.
