MANCHESTER, NOV 29 – Rasmus Hojlund scored twice as Manchester United won their Europa League match against Bodo/Glimt 3-2 yesterday, giving Ruben Amorim his first home win.
Alejandro Garnacho got off to a flying start for the hosts after a surprise mistake from the opposing goalkeeper, Nikita Haikin.
But Hakon Evjen equalized for and Philip Zinckernagel raced in from the right wing to give them the lead and shock the hosts.
Then Hojlund equalized for United with a superb finish just before half-time and also took the lead early in the second half.
New United boss Amorim said the match was a ‘real journey’ and he was still learning to get to know his players.
And he said he was overwhelmed by the welcome the home fans gave him.
“Half of the stadium really didn’t recognize me at first. I come from Portugal. I haven’t done anything but the way they make me feel at home, it’s very special.”
The former Sporting Lisbon boss said his methods would take time to work, making six changes from the former side that drew 1-1 with Ipswich last Sunday.
Tyrell Malacia returns to the United line-up for the first time since the final game of the 2022/23 season.
Amorim waved to fans and was swarmed by photographers as he took his seat at Old Trafford for the first time.
And moments later he was celebrating as United scored in the first minute.
There appeared to be some danger as the ball was played back by Jostein Gundersen to Haikin but the keeper let the ball run and Hojlund was on to it in no time.
The opposing goalkeeper, Haikin missed the ball due to some confusion with the defense and Garnacho was quick to rush in and score United’s first goal.
Then Bodo/Glimt equalized following a good move when Sondre Brunstad Fet found Evjen, whose finish beat Andre Onana in the 19th minute.
Just four minutes later the hordes of yellow-shirted opposition fans celebrated another Zinckernagel goal as United’s fragile defense was again exposed.
United worked hard to get back into the game and equalized when Noussair Mazraoui crossed for Hojlund, before scoring with his right foot.
The Portuguese manager replaced Malacia at half-time with Diogo Dalot, switching from his preferred back three to a back four.
United took the lead again in the 50th minute when Manuel Ugarte crossed for Hojlund to score the winner.
United sit 12th in the standings, with two wins and three draws from their first five games in the league phase of the new format. – AFP
