Rubem Amorim showed plenty of guts and ingenuity to guide Manchester United to a well-earned 3-2 win over FK Bodø/Glimt at Old Trafford on Thursday night.
Rasmus Hojlund produced arguably his best performance of the season to date to seal a well-earned victory.
Just like on Ruben Amorim’s debut game in charge, Man United got off to a dream start. Rasmus Hojlund showed great awareness to dispossess the away team’s goalkeeper just seconds after the kick-off, with Alejandro Garnacho firing the loose ball into the net. Excellent awareness from Amorim’s attackers.
After the restart, United continued to dominate the ball, exhibiting plenty of flair and making the home-ground advantage count.
Struggling to penetrate the Bodø/Glimt defence, United almost found a way through in the 14th minute when an Ugarte cross found Bruno Fernandes, whose touch was poor and caused the ball to float out of play.
Mere moments later, Mason Mount took a cracking shot, forcing a save from the goalkeeper. Garnacho picked up the loose ball after the visitors tried to counter, bursting down the left flank and passing to Fernandes in the centre, whose shot forced another impressive save. United suddenly appeared dangerous in front of goal, really pushing for a second goal.
In the 19th minute, the Old Trafford crowd appeared distraught as the underdogs equalised with a goal from distance. While the defence tracked back well as the visitors countered, Håkon Evjen raced to the edge of the box unmarked, lobbing the ball into the top left corner out of Onana’s reach. It was no doubt a frustrating moment for Amorim with his team conceding a very soft goal.
Moments later, disaster struck again. The Norwegian visitors took advantage of United’s high line, with Philip Zinckernagel picking up the ball on the right flank near the half way line. Tyrell Malacia had little chance to dispossess the winger, who sprinted into the box and put the ball past Onana into the far corner. It was suddenly 2-1 to the visitors after what was a shambolic lapse in concentration for Amorim’s men.
While Malacia attempted two crosses – one that the keeper caught and another that breezed inches past the far post – United were struggling heavily to launch any threatening attacking build-up. Clearly, Amorim needed to change up tactics at half-time to whip his team into shape.
Five minutes from the break, Garnacho attempted a promising run into the box; however, his pass was intercepted and eventually caught by the keeper.
Garnacho attempted the same movement seconds later, this time winning a corner kick. Mason Mount’s deep cross was headed out for another corner.
While Malacia’s corner from the opposite end was dangerous, the Bodø/Glimt wall did well to block the ball from hurtling goalwards.
On the stroke of half-time, United pulled their way back into the game. Noussair Mazraoui showed some fancy footwork, dribbling past two defenders and sending a cross to Hojlund, who controlled the ball expertly with his first touch before hammering it past the keeper. An impressive goal from the Dane to level the scoreline at 2-2.
After a minute of stoppage time, the referee blew the whistle for half-time. In the final moments of what was a turbulent 45 minutes of football, United’s confidence appeared to be restored, thereby boosting the hope that they would be able to achieve victory.
Following a disappointing first-half showing, Amorim decided to replace a struggling Malacia with Diogo Dalot.
Minutes after the restart, Mason Mount took a superb strike of the ball, only for his shot to hit the upright. United were looking increasingly likely to find another goal to restore their lead.
In the 49th minute, United found the goal they deserved. Ugarte burst into the box and threaded a through ball to Hojlund, who sealed his second goal of the evening.
Celebrations were halted as VAR checked for offside, however, the goal stood. It was a peculiar moment for VAR, with Hojlund looking slightly offside; however, United fans could feel relief as the check went in their favour, which certainly felt like a rare occurrence.
Minutes later, Garnacho came close to extending United’s lead, however, his shot was parried by the keeper.
With half an hour to play, Marcus Rashford replaced Mount while Amad Diallo came on for Antony. Luke Shaw, who recently returned from injury, came on in place of Lisandro Martinez.
Five minutes later, Casemiro came on for Matthijs de Ligt, who appeared to have picked up a knock. Clearly it was a precautionary substitute from Amorim, however, the Portuguese manager had used up all of his substitutes with 24 minutes still to play.
Soon after the substitution, United’s defence appeared sloppy, allowing two soft shots from the visitors. Fortunately, Onana had the awareness to stop both attempts.
Garnacho missed a prime opportunity to score United’s fourth in the 72nd minute, bursting through the defence yet blasting his shot wide of the far post. Yet another poor miss by the energetic Argentine.
The visitors broke through United’s defence, with Onana riskily rushing out of his goalmouth to intercept the ball. While Amad launched a promising counter-attack, Garnacho fluffed his lines yet again. After receiving Amad’s cross, Garnacho thumped his shot over the top, summing up a poor attacking display by the youngster.
As the clock was approaching 90 minutes, United appeared to be increasingly fatigued. The visitors almost scored with a close-range header, only for Onana to make the save. Although the offside flag was raised, Onana was booked for time-wasting.
Casemiro received a yellow card for a hand-ball on the edge of the box, gifting the away team a threatening free-kick.
Fortunately, the wall did its duty, blocking the shot.
Ultimately, Amorim was bold and brave with his tactical changes and substitutions, showing a willingness to change things up when the match wasn’t going United’s way.
It was a well-deserved 3-2 win for United, sealing Amorim’s first victory in charge in front of a jubilant Old Trafford crowd. Suddenly, United’s Europa League chances are looking significantly better.
Starting XI: Onana, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez, Antony, Ugarte, Fernandes, Malacia, Mount, Garnacho, Hojlund
Subs: Dalot, Rashford, Amad, Shaw, Casemiro
Featured image Gareth Copley via Getty Images
Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
