Manchester United claimed their first win under Portuguese Manager Rúben Amorim against Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt in the Europa League at Old Trafford.
A fRANTIC sTART
Before many fans were even in their seats, in freakish fashion The Red Devils replicated their quick-scoring feat seen on Sunday against Ipswich in the Premier league.
Bodø/Glimt keeper Nikita Haikin allowed Rasmus Hojlund to sweep in to dispossess him and guide the ball to Alejandro Garnacho, who simply smacked it into an empty net after 48 seconds.
The Norwegian Eliteserian league leaders responded beautifully in the 19th minute after Sondre Fet slided the ball back to the edge of the box, where it was struck into the top left corner first time by 24-year-old midfielder Hakon Evjen.
The Superlaget (The super team) reached dreamland in the 23rd minute when Patrick Berg’s looping effort into the forward line fell to Philip Zinkernagel, who took off on the right flank, beating Tyrel Malacia in a footrace before hammering his effort past Cameroonian Andre Onana. Against all odds the visitors were in front at The Theatre of Dreams.
On the brink of the interval Noussair Mazraoui dinked a tasty ball into the box, Rasmus Hojlund, who was wedged between two defenders, but expertly, in one motion controlled the ball on one foot and finished with the other past a hapless Haikin in goal, to balance the score at halftime.
Second half Turnaround
Momentum was with United following the restart, Tyrell Malacia made way for Diogo Dalot in a tactical shift that secured the backline. It had an immediate effort and almost restored the lead as Mason Mount’s looping shot hit the upright.
Minutes later, Manuel Ugarte found space on the right wing and shifted the ball across for Hojlund to double his tally with a striker’s finish, out-muscling Odin Luras Bjortuft to clip the ball into the net.
The second half saw dominance from United; Garnacho’s movement got him into promising positions in the final third although no chances converted.
In an attempt to see the game off united looked to the bench with Amorim opting for a triple change which saw Mount, Antony and Martinez replaced by Marcus Rashford, Amad Diallo and Luke Shaw.
United had the chance to put the tie to bed when substitute Marcus Rashford was put through on goal, but he kept up the trend of wasteful second half opportunities as he dragged his shot wide.
Matchday four’s final action at Old Trafford saw Berg standing over a free kick with an eye to level the tie in the tense last moments. His effort, on target and beyond the wall but stopped terrifically by Onana to preserve the win.
Player Ratings & MOTM
Andre Onana – 5 Could do very little about the rocket equaliser second goal went under him, could have easily seen red in the second for his out-of-box venture.
Noussair Mazraoui – 8 Consistently good this season, delivery for Hojlund’s leveller was top notch, looks a great signing.
Matthijs De Ligt – 5 Still seems to be adapting to a formation he’s played for Netherlands, Juventus and Bayern.
Lisandro Martinez – 6 Excellent pass for Mount’s effort could have been better positioned for the second goal.
Antony – 5 Showed glimpses early on beating his man an ok performance.
Manuel Ugarte – 6 Great work to get the assist for the leveller played quite well.
Bruno Fernandes – 6 Deeper role alongside Ugarte evident to tell he prefers playing higher up.
Tyrell Malacia – 4 Looked energetic early on however must have burnt himself out as he was outpaced for the second goal, and was hooked at halftime; fitness issue.
Mason Mount – 6 Hit the crossbar, promising performance.
Rasmus Hojlund & MOTM – 9 Chased down for the first, scored the second and third, great day at the office for the Dane.
Alejandro Garnacho – 6 Great positioning for the opener, but had three back-to-back wasted opportunities in the second half.
Subs
Diogo Dalot – 6 Made a difference when he came on.
Luke Shaw – 6 Decent return went in at Centre-half.
Amad – 6 Looked dangerous, again.
Marcus Rashford – 5 Had one real effort blasted it wide.
Casemiro – 4 Saw yellow for a handball, didn’t do much.
Hojlund showed his striker’s instinct for providing the first goal, fancy footwork for the second and positional awareness for the third. He proved he can lead the line and should be first name on the team sheet against Everton. This formation really seems to suit him as his best football played for Atalanta was in the 3-4-3.
Looking forward
The win sees Manchester United on nine points in 12th – just four points off league leaders Lazio despite a poor start. Bodø/Glimt fall to 17th in the table on seven points.
United host Everton next in the premier league where they will hope to make it seven games without defeat.
Bodø/Glimt also turn their attention to Sunday where the stakes sit a little bit higher, victory against Lillestrom will see them crowned Norwegian champions for the fourth time in five seasons.