“Bem-vindo a casa Ruben” (“Welcome home”) read the large surfer flag unveiled before kick-off at Old Trafford — and Ruben Amorim duly experienced the full array of emotions that comes with a Manchester United performance of late.
The new head coach was greeted warmly by the fans during his first game in charge at Old Trafford and his team responded accordingly, with Rasmus Hojlund putting pressure on goalkeeper Bodo/Glimt goalkeeper Nikita Haikin and Alejandro Garnacho slotting the ball away in just 52 seconds.
The opener set the tone for an eventful night. Two goals in three minutes and 45 seconds for the Norwegian side put an unbalanced United side on the back foot in the first half, although Hojlund equalised just before half time after a deft ball from Noussair Mazraoui.
Tyrell Malacia, back in the starting XI for the first time in 550 days after knee surgeries, was taken off at half time and Amorim’s change had an immediate impact, with Hojlund striking again to put United ahead in the 50th minute.
The win, which was not without its late 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 explain it here).
Laurie Whitwell dissects the key talking points from Old Trafford…
A lightning start
Ruben’s Rapid Reds got off to a flier again. Ahead after 81 seconds at Portman Road in Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town, this time it took them 52 seconds to gain the lead. They were given a major assist by Glimt goalkeeper Haikin, who will wonder why he decided to try to take the ball past Hojlund and succeeded only in offering the United striker a chance to steal possession.
Credit to Hojlund for sprinting with intensity and wrestling Haikin off the ball. It left Garnacho with the easiest goal he will ever score. As he did at Ipswich, Amorin kept it cool for the celebration, but he must be pleased his team are starting games with a bang.
Amorim showed more of his emotions for Hojlund’s equaliser, turning to supporters and letting out a primal roar, pumping his fists. It felt an important goal, coming just before half time for a player who is the focus of much attention given United’s need to score more.
A good night for Hojlund
With all the debate about United’s scoring potential, the focus has fallen on Hojlund. As United’s No 9 this season, he will surely need to get close or pass the 20-goal mark for the team to secure Champions League qualification. But his performance against Bodo showed that if he is given the ball in dangerous areas he will find the finish.
Hojlund’s 16 goals in all competitions in his debut campaign was a respectable total for a 21-year-old new to England, but he was sitting on two from 13 appearances heading into this game. He doubled his season total inside 50 minutes.
His first was an absolutely brilliant finish, collecting Mazraoui’s cross with his left foot before striking with his right into the far corner. He did it all in one motion, so smoothly it spoke of a player with really high potential. Perhaps he found killer inspiration from watching Gladiator 2, given he celebrated with the iconic method of emperors deciding a combatant’s fate in the Colosseum.
His second came at the end of a great section of team play, which culminated in Mason Mount backheeling to set Manuel Ugarte clear. Hojlund passed Ugarte’s low first-time cross into the net. He looked possibly offside but the goal was given after a VAR check.
Hojlund could have had a hat-trick had Garnacho followed the lead of his team-mates and passed his way rather than shoot after racing through. Hojlund peeled into space at the right moment but Garnacho instead had a go himself, with Haikin pulling off the save. Nevertheless it was a confidence-boosting occasion for the striker.
How did Amorim change things at half time?
For much of the first half, this looked like being a bad night for United. Having taken the lead they were then cut through by Glimt repeatedly, and trailed after 23 minutes. The Norwegian’s first was a cracking shot from Hakon Evjen, with the only criticism that United failed to close him down. But the second was more concerning, with Bodo taking advantage of Amorim’s man-marking system out of possession.
Lisandro Martinez had pushed high from left centre-back to pressure his opponent, but instead Patrick Berg went long to Philip Zinckernagel, who was one-on-one with Malacia. The United player had a lead on Zinckernagel but was left trailing in his wake and was only able to offer a shove as the Glimt forward went into the box. Zinckernagel was undeterred and finished between Andre Onana’s legs. The 6,714 Bodo fans in yellow went potty — the largest away crowd at Old Trafford in a European game.
Malacia’s recovery from a knee injury after such a long period out was heart-warming, but he looked very rusty and at half time Amorim made the decision to substitute him. Diogo Dalot’s arrival in the second half improved United, but there are clear additions needed for Amorim’s squad.
He started Antony at right wing-back and by the end had Casemiro at centre-back. The back five to finish was Amad, Mazraoui (who had another excellent game), Casemiro, Luke Shaw and Dalot. It was an unorthodox defensive line-up, a sign of how Amorim will try to think creatively. But there were a few hairy moments towards the end.
What next for Manchester United?
Sunday, December 1: Everton (home), Premier League, 1:30pm UK, 8:30am ET
Recommended reading
- Bodo/Glimt and football in Norway’s Arctic Circle – Freezing water bottles and Man Utd supporters
- How varied interpretations of football’s laws have left players confused and the data in a mess
- The Scots thriving in Italy: ‘Everyone was surprised I actually had good technique’
(Top photo: Marc Atkins/Getty Images))
