Rasmus Hojlund struck twice as Manchester United marked Ruben Amorim’s first match in cost at Previous Trafford with a rollercoaster 3-2 UEFA Europa League victory over Bodo/Glimt.
The Crimson Devils acquired off to a flyer as Alejandro Garnacho took benefit of a goalkeeping blunder to open the scoring inside 50 seconds.
Nevertheless, Amorim was left grimacing in frustration because the Norwegians turned the sport on its head quickly after. First, Hakon Evjen curled residence an excellent equaliser on 19 minutes earlier than Philip Zinckernagel raced free down the suitable to stun Previous Trafford into silence 4 minutes later.
United toiled in opposition to the well-organised Norwegians however levelled on the stroke of half-time when a superb piece of particular person ability noticed Hojlund management and volley Noussair Mazraoui’s cross into the far nook.
Amorim made a system change on the interval and it paid actual dividends as United bossed the second interval. Hojlund deservedly put them in entrance on 50 minutes when he tucked residence from a central space after neat work down the suitable.
The hosts had probabilities to keep away from a nervy finale, however Garnacho twice fired off course when well-placed.
The consequence sees United choose up simply their second win in Europe this season and shifts them as much as twelfth within the league section standings.
United will now swap focus to enhancing their Premier League fortunes in what will likely be Amorim’s first residence match within the English top-flight in opposition to Everton on Sunday.
Speaking Level – Amorim’s tactical flexibility ensures his Previous Trafford bow ends with a win
Forward of the match, Amorim talked concerning the United gamers shopping for into his philosophy, however it was clear the personnel he chosen had been nonetheless not snug along with his favoured 3-4-3 system.
Certainly, the Norwegian guests took full benefit of the house in the course of the first half, however the brand new Crimson Devils boss adjusted on the break and tweaked the formation to a 4-2-3-1.
It made a big distinction and United managed the second interval with far more authority to make sure Amorim’s first time within the Previous Trafford dug-out began with a win.
The Portuguese boss’ means to adapt to the state of affairs was the key constructive on the evening, as was the efficiency of Hojlund, who United followers will hope can realise his thrilling potential even additional underneath a coach who introduced the most effective out of Sporting’s much-sought after Viktor Gyokeres.
Participant of the Match
Rasmus Hojlund (Man United). The Dane loved a morale-boosting evening. First, he confirmed nice trade to pressure the goalkeeping error for Garnacho’s opener earlier than great improvisation and method noticed him degree on the stroke of half-time. A scientific end from a poacher’s place put United again in entrance and made positive his new boss acquired off to a successful begin on residence turf.
‘Fits me very properly’ – Hojlund can already see enhancements underneath Amorim
Video credit score: TNT Sports activities
Participant Rankings
Man Utd: Onana 6, Mazraoui 7, De Ligt 6, Martinez 6, Antony 6, Ugarte 7, Fernandes 7, Malacia 6, Mount 7, Hojlund 9, Garnacho 8. Subs: Dalot 8, Rashford 6, Amad 7, Shaw 6, Casemiro 6.
Bodo/Glimt: Haikin 7, Wembangomo 7, Gundersen 7, Bjortuft 7, Bjorkan 7, Evjen 8, Berg 7, Brunstad Fet 7, Zinckernagel 7, Helmersen 7, Hauge 7. Subs: Sjøvold 6, Hogh 6, Saltnes 6, Maatta 6, Auklend n/a.
Match Highlights
01’ – GOAL! – Man Utd 1-0 Bodo / Glimt: (Garnacho). United are off to a different flyer underneath Amorim. It is a nightmare for visiting goalkeeper Nikita Haikin, who’s caught on the ball by Hojlund, permitting Garnacho to race in and faucet into an empty web.
19’ – GOAL! – Man Utd 1-1 Bodo / Glimt: (Evjen). The guests stun Previous Trafford with an exquisite equaliser. A slick transfer sees Sondre Fet flip neatly on the left aspect of the field and lay it again for Evjen to curve a chic first-time strike into the far nook.
23’ – GOAL! – Man Utd 1-2 Bodo / Glimt: (Zinckernagel). The Norwegians take the lead! Philip Zinckernagel costs after a ball down the suitable, holds off Malacia and fires a low shot past Onana.
45’ – GOAL! – Man Utd 2-2 Bodo / Glimt: (Hojlund). The hosts pull degree as Hojlund expertly controls after which volleys residence Mazraoui’s pleasant ball from the suitable.
50’ – GOAL! – Man Utd 3-2 Bodo / Glimt: (Hojlund). Hojlund pounces to fireplace residence a low ball from the suitable after a scrumptious flick from Mount had opened Bodo up.