Rasmus Hojlund’s two goals played a crucial role in Manchester United’s 2-1 Europa League victory over Viktoria Plzen, but his performance was overshadowed by a confrontation with his teammate, Amad Diallo, after the final whistle. The two forwards were upset with each other for not receiving passes during the match, leading to a heated exchange on the pitch. United’s head coach, Ruben Amorim, responded to the incident by stating that it was “healthy” for players to be “fighting” for success, as it showed their passion for the club. He emphasized that such moments were typical of a team trying to get back on track and that he would step in only if the situation escalated beyond acceptable limits.
Lisandro Martinez, a key figure in the squad, stepped in to mediate the situation, while Casemiro also intervened to help separate the two teammates. Amorim downplayed the confrontation, calling it a natural part of the competitive nature within a team, and likened it to the dynamics of a family, where disagreements can occur but should be resolved quickly. He expressed satisfaction with the team’s win and their fighting spirit while allowing the captain and players to handle the situation themselves.
Reflecting on his own progress under Amorim, Hojlund acknowledged the need for more time to gel with the team. He noted that while the team’s routines were improving, there was still work to be done and that the lack of consistent training time meant much of the development had to happen during matches. Hojlund also gave his thoughts on the match, pointing out the challenges posed by the cold weather and a boggy pitch. He felt United adjusted well in the second half, particularly by exploiting the space behind Plzen’s defense and winning second balls, which helped them secure the victory.
