Czech side checks Man United's ahead of the city derby

Some time ago, the duel between Viktoria Plzen and Manchester United would have represented a "training session" for the Premier League side. However, those times are long gone, as Ruben Amorim's squad and the Czech side are tied on the UEFA Europa League table with nine points each, while Plzen have been undefeated at their Doosan Arena for 13 matches.

Moreover, the two rivals have recorded the same results in each of the five so far played rounds - three initial draws and two consecutive wins. Hence, at least one streak will be broken tonight. United barely beat Bodo/Glimt 3-2 two weeks ago despite being a goal down against the Norwegian side at Old Trafford. Still, the results in the Premier League and three winless games show that Amorim will need more time.

United in a mission to sell Rashford

The eventual triumph could move United to a TOP 8 position, which guarantees direct promotion to the Round of 16, and thus, the Portuguese gaffer is not expected to mix things up a lot. Against Bodo/Glimt, he included Mason Mount, Antony, and Tyrell Malacia in the XI, and the Englishman and the Brazilian hardly paid off his trust.

Yet, he'll need to rest some players for the much more essential duel against the struggling Cityzens, but it's hard to say who'll sit out tonight's match. Rasmus Hojlund and Bruno Fernandes are probably in the best form of all United players at the moment and thus the most important ones, but can United beat Plzen without the captain and the lately most productive forward?

UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE - ROUND 5

Thursday

20.45: (1.50) Hoffenheim (4.30) FCSB (6.50)

20.45: (2.95) Ludogorets (3.35) AZ Alkmaar (2.40)

20.45: (3.50) Malmo (3.60) Galatasaray (2.15)

20.45: (1.90) Olympiakos (3.60) Twente (4.50)

20.45: (1.95) PAOK (3.50) Ferencvaros (3.90)

20.45: (5.70) Plzen (4.00) Man.Utd. (1.60)

20.45: (1.75) Roma (3.70) Braga (5.40)

20.45: (2.15) St.Gilloise (3.50) Nice (3.70)

23.00: (2.30) Ajax (3.50) Lazio (3.25)

23.00: (1.85) Bodo (3.80) Besiktas (4.50)

23.00: (2.60) Elfsborg (3.40) Qarabag (2.70)

23.00: (1.55) Maccabi T.A. (4.00) Rigas (6.25)

23.00: (2.15) Olympique Lyon (3.60) Eintr.Frankfurt (3.50)

23.00: (1.32) Porto (5.30) Midtjylland (9.50)

23.00: (3.40) Rangers (3.50) Tottenham (2.10)

23.00: (1.57) Slavia Praha (4.30) Anderlecht (6.50)

23.00: (1.27) Sociedad (5.60) Dynamo Kyiv (12.0)

***odds are subject to change***