Viktoria Plzen vs. Man United lineups, expected starting 11, confirmed team news, injuries: Amorim to make more changes before Manchester derby | Sporting News

Manchester United head to Czechia this week for a UEFA Europa League clash with Viktoria Plzen.

The Czech title challengers are level on points with the Red Devils after five games of the league phase, so this represents a potentially significant game in terms of both sides’ hopes of automatic qualification to the Round of 16.

United suffered back-to-back Premier League defeats to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest last week, and with a derby against Manchester City to come on Sunday, head coach Ruben Amorim is likely to make more changes to his starting lineup for Thursday’s fixture.

Their opponents are unbeaten in all competitions since November 3 and will offer a stern test to Amorim and his players.

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Viktoria Plzen vs. Man United lineups, predicted starting 11, team news

Viktoria Plzen will likely line up in a similar back-three system to that favoured by Amorim, which could make for some interesting matchups across the pitch.

Pavel Sulc scored in the 2-1 win at Dynamo Kiev last time out and hit both in a league victory over Karvina last Sunday, so he represents a danger to United’s fragile backline. Premier League fans will also remember Matej Vydra, the former Watford, Derby County and Burnley striker who returned to his homeland in 2022.

Viktoria Plzen predicted XI (3-5-1-1, right to left): Jedlicka (GK) — Dweh, Markovic, Jemelka — Cadu, Kalvach, Cerv, Sulc, Havel — Vydra — Vasulin

Injured: None
Suspended: None

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Ruben Amorim has started 20 different players in his five United games and will almost certainly make further alterations given the short turnaround before Sunday’s Manchester derby.

Defenders Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof took part in team training prior to the flight out to Czechia and may be involved, as could fit-again youngster Toby Collyer, who should at least make the bench.

Antony could be handed a rare start at wing-back to allow Diogo Dalot to rest, while Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee may rotate back in.

Man United predicted lineup (3-4-3, right to left): Onana (GK) — Maguire, De Ligt, Evans — Amad Diallo, Eriksen, Ugarte, Antony — Zirkzee, Rashford, Fernandes

Injured: Shaw
Suspended: None

Viktoria Plzen vs. Man United live stream, TV channel

Here’s how to watch this Europa League match across selected areas of the world’s major regions: