Ruben Amorim praised Rasmus Hojlund for his decisive performance in Manchester United's 2-1 victory over Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League, with the Danish striker scoring both goals to secure the win. Despite an early blunder from goalkeeper Andre Onana, who allowed Matej Vydra to give Plzen the lead, Højlund’s brace turned the tide for United. This marked his fifth goal under Amorim’s guidance, with four of them coming in European competitions, further cementing his growing importance to the team.
Amorim expressed his satisfaction with Højlund’s progress, particularly his improved positioning and understanding of the game. "He is improving. He’s getting closer to the goal now and knows better what movements he needs to make. He could have scored more tonight, but he’s working well, controlling the ball better, and finding the net," Amorim said during his post-match interview with TNT Sports. This reflects the positive strides Højlund has made since his arrival at Manchester United, with Amorim’s coaching approach clearly benefiting the striker’s development.
Under Amorim's leadership, Manchester United has achieved three wins from six matches, with two of those victories coming in the Europa League. Although the team’s recent form has shown promise, it’s been a mix of progress and areas that still require improvement as they continue to adapt to Amorim’s tactical philosophy. Amorim highlighted the importance of addressing these areas as the season progresses, emphasizing the need to build upon their successes and work on their weaknesses.
The coach was particularly impressed by the team's overall improvements in several key areas, including their ability to control transitions. "We are improving in certain aspects, especially in how we handle transitions. When we lose possession, we’re being more aggressive in winning the ball back," he noted. Amorim also acknowledged the team’s heightened focus on attacking play, with United spending more time in the opponent’s half and pushing forward in search of goals. The increased tempo and movement in the second half against Plzen were central to the team’s success, and Amorim stressed that this was an essential aspect of their evolving playstyle.
United’s second-half performance against Plzen was a major highlight. After struggling to create clear chances in the first half due to difficult pitch conditions and a lack of speed in their attacking play, the team came alive after the break. "The speed improved in the second half. I told the players we need to make more movement in front of goal and show our opponents we are a danger," Amorim explained. This shift in tempo allowed United to create more consistent threats and ultimately secure the win.
Amorim also credited the substitutes for their positive impact on the game, acknowledging that their contributions were instrumental in helping to turn things around. "We made some adjustments, and the players from the bench played a crucial role in changing the game," he said. Their fresh legs and renewed energy injected pace and intensity into the team’s play, which helped them take control in the second half.
The first half had been more challenging for United. They controlled possession but struggled to break down Plzen due to challenging pitch conditions that hindered their connection with the strikers. There was also a lack of movement and speed in their attacks, which prevented them from creating clear-cut chances. Despite their dominance in possession, United’s offensive play lacked the incisiveness needed to convert that control into goals. However, they weathered the early storm and came out much stronger in the second half, ultimately finding a way to get past Plzen and claim the three points.
Overall, Amorim's tenure at Manchester United has shown signs of positive development, with both individual players and the team as a whole showing improvement. With players like Højlund continuing to grow and the team making strides in their overall play, there’s a sense that United is moving in the right direction. Amorim will be looking to build on these performances as he works to further integrate his tactical ideas into the squad, with the hope that the team can sustain this momentum in both domestic and European competitions.
