Viktoria Plzen vs Manchester United – Match preview and team news

The Football Faithful

·12 December 2024

Viktoria Plzen vs Manchester United – Match preview and team news

Viktoria Plzen host Manchester United this evening in Europe, with the Europa League approaching the business end of the league phase.

The Red Devils are unbeaten in continental action this campaign but still sit one point outside of the automatic Round of 16 places.

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Ruben Amorim is operating with almost a full squad with only Luke Shaw and Jonny Evans excluded from the travelling squad.

Viktoria Plzen have an almost identical record to United are also unbeaten, with the Czech side a place below tonight’s opponents due to scoring one goal less.

Plzen boss Miroslav Koubek has to deal with a depleted squad with as many as six first-team players nursing injuries.

United in Europe 👊 #MUFC || #UEL
– Thursday, 12 December 2024

Viktoria Plzen vs Manchester United – Match preview and team news

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Viktoria Plzen: WWWDW

Alongside an unbeaten record in the Europa League this term, Viktoria Plzen haven’t tasted defeat in their last seven matches.

Koubek’s side are trailing Czech league leaders Slavia Prague by 10 points – despite only losing twice all season.

In Europe, Plzen have proved to be tricky customers and have overcome Real Sociedad and Dynamo Kyiv in recent weeks.

They are also the only side to take points off Frankfurt in the competition after staging a late comeback away from home to draw 3-3 with the German side on opening night.

Manchester United: DWWLL

Early optimism for the Amorim era has faced a reality check over the last week after consecutive Premier League defeats.

Last Wednesday, the Red Devils were comfortably beaten at Arsenal before a mistake-ridden display resulted in a damning 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford.

Amorim will want to quickly turn the attention to this competition where they remain unbeaten after five games. The Portuguese tactician’s first win with the club came in the Europa League when he guided the Red Devils to a 3-2 victory over Bodo/Glimt.

Last Meeting: N/A

This will be the first time the two sides encounter each other.

Predicted Lineups

Viktoria Plzen: Jedlicka, Jemelka, Hejda, Dweh, Havel, Cadu; Cerv, Kalvach; Souare, Vydra, Sulc.

Manchester United: Onana; Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez; Amad, Eriksen, Casemiro, Malacia; Rashford, Fernandes, Zirkzee.

Who is the referee?

Romanian referee Marian Barbu will be the match official. He will be assisted by Ovidiu Artene and Imre Laszlo Bucsi while Rares Vidican will be the fourth official. The VAR will be Cātālin Popa and he will be assisted by Sebastian Coltescu.