Manchester United 3 Bodo/Glimt 2: Amorim’s first win, Hojlund double – The Briefing

“Bem-vindo a casa Ruben” (“Welcome Home”) read the large surfer flag unveiled before kick-off at Old Trafford, and Ruben Amorim experienced the full range of emotions that come with a Manchester United performance of late.

The new head coach was warmly welcomed by fans during his first game at Old Trafford and his team responded accordingly with Rasmus Hojlund putting pressure on the Bodo/Glimt goalkeeper Nikita Haikin and Alejandro Garnacho shot the ball away in just 52 seconds.

The start set the tone for an eventful evening. Two goals in three minutes and 45 seconds for the Norwegian side put an unbalanced United side on the defensive in the first half, although Hojlund equalized just before half-time after a clever ball from Noussair Mazraoui.

Tyrell Malacia, starting for the first time in 550 days after knee surgery, was substituted at half-time and Amorim’s substitution had an immediate impact: Hojlund struck again to give United the lead in the 50th minute.

Amorim led United for the first time at Old Trafford (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

The victory, which was not without its final scares, takes United up to 12th in the Europa League table (and if you don’t know what that means, you’re not alone – we’ll explain it here).

Laurie Whitwell analyzes the key talking points from Old Trafford…

A lightning start

Rubens Rapid Reds caught a plane again. In Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town they were ahead after 81 seconds at Portman Road, this time it took them 52 seconds to take the lead. Glimt goalkeeper Haikin provided them with a vital assist who will be left wondering why he tried to pass the ball past Hojlund, only giving the United striker the chance to win the ball.

Hojlund deserves credit for his intense sprint and defending Haikin from the ball. In doing so, Garnacho scored the easiest goal he has ever scored. As he did in Ipswich, Amorim kept his cool during the celebrations, but he must be happy that his side are starting the games with a bang.

Garnacho sends the ball into an empty net within a minute (Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images)

Amorim showed more emotion at Hojlund’s equalizer, turning to the fans and giving a primal roar by clenching his fists. It felt like an important goal, coming just before half-time, for a player who is the focus of much attention as United look to score more goals.

A good night for Hojlund

For all the debate about United’s scoring potential, the focus is on Hojlund. As United’s No.9 this season, he will surely need to reach or exceed the 20-goal mark for the team to qualify for the Champions League. But his performance against Glimt showed that he will find the target when given the ball in dangerous areas.

Hojlund’s 16 goals in all competitions in his debut season was a respectable total for a 21-year-old new to England, but before this game he was on two from 13 appearances. He doubled his season total in 50 minutes.

His first was an absolutely brilliant finish, intercepting Mazraoui’s cross with his left foot before firing into the far corner with his right. He did everything in one go, so smoothly that one could speak of a player with really high potential. Perhaps he found murderous inspiration while watching Gladiator 2, considering he celebrated with the iconic way emperors decide a fighter’s fate in the Colosseum.

Hojlund brings United equalizer (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Hojlund told TNT Sports: “He (Amorim) told me today not to think too much about the guys behind me and to try to work a little more on what I can see in front and a little more aggressive on that “Going towards the goal.”, and of course you can see that with the first goal and I’m happy about that.”

His second goal came at the end of a great period of team play that culminated in a backheel from Mason Mount to set Manuel Ugarte free. Hojlund passed Ugarte’s low first cross into the net. He appeared to be offside, but the goal was given after a VAR review.

Hojlund could have scored a hat-trick if Garnacho had followed his teammates’ example and continued on his way instead of shooting after running through. Hojlund shot into space at just the right moment, but Garnacho tried it himself instead and Haikin parried. Still, it was an opportunity for the striker to boost his confidence.

How did Amorim change things at halftime?

For much of the first half it looked like a bad evening for United. After taking the lead, they were controlled several times by Glimt and were behind after 23 minutes. The Norwegian’s first goal was a cracking shot from Hakon Evjen, with the only criticism being United’s failure to stop it. But the second point was more worrying as Glimt exploited Amorim’s man-marking system when in possession.

Lisandro Martinez had put a lot of pressure on his opponent from the left center back, but instead Patrick Berg went wide to Philip Zinckernagel, who was one on one with Malacia. The United player had a lead over Zinckernagel but fell behind and could only make a push as the Glimt striker headed into the penalty area. Zinckernagel was undeterred and landed between Andre Onana’s legs. The 6,714 Bodo fans in yellow went potty – the largest away crowd at Old Trafford in a European Cup game.

Zinckernagel puts Malacia under pressure (Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Before the restart, Amorim called out to Martinez to give him instructions on his movements, which the Argentine took note of.

Malacia’s recovery from a knee injury after such a long layoff was heartwarming, but he looked very rusty and at half-time Amorim decided to substitute him. The arrival of Diogo Dalot in the second half has improved United, but clear additions are needed to Amorim’s squad.

He started Antony as a right wing-back and ended up with Casemiro as a centre-back. The final five were Amad, Mazraoui (who had another excellent game), Casemiro, Luke Shaw and Dalot. It was an unorthodox defensive formation, a sign of how Amorim will try to think creatively, but there were a few hairy moments towards the end.

What did Amorim say?

The Manchester United head coach told TNT Sports: “I see what everyone sees – good moments, difficult moments, a bit of confusion at the end, trying to keep the result.” But the boys did a good job. They ran, they pressured, they tried to do the things we did those three days (in training) and we won.

“The first thing is that half the stadium doesn’t know me, right Really Know me. I am from Portugal. I haven’t done anything for this club yet, so the way I feel at home there is very special.

“I’m worried because I don’t know what will happen. You have no control over anything right now. We have an idea for every game, but I don’t know the players, so we go into the game excited, but at the same time you’re a little worried because you don’t know how the game will end.

“We liked making four substitutions because of the fitness of the players without thinking about the game. We are at this moment – ​​we need a fit squad and we need to take some risks.”

What’s next for Manchester United?

Sunday December 1st: Everton (Home), Premier League, 1:30pm UK, 8:30am ET

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(Top photo: Marc Atkins/Getty Images))