Ruben Amorim’s tenure at Manchester United began on a high note as his team narrowly secured a dramatic victory over Bodø/Glimt in the Europa League. In his first home game as manager, Amorim received a warm reception from the Old Trafford crowd, who welcomed him as the club’s sixth manager in the post-Ferguson era. Despite the victory, the match highlighted the challenges Amorim faces as he seeks to stabilize and improve the team.
The game started in explosive fashion, with United taking the lead within the first minute. Bodø/Glimt’s goalkeeper Nikita Haikin hesitated on the ball, allowing Rasmus Højlund to harry and set up Alejandro Garnacho for an easy tap-in. However, the early lead failed to calm United, who quickly found themselves exposed defensively. Hakon Evjen equalized with a thunderous strike into the top corner after exploiting a gap in United’s midfield. Moments later, Philip Zinckernagel raced past Tyrell Malacia to score a second, leaving André Onana helpless.
Despite the defensive frailty, United managed to level the score before halftime. Højlund showcased his skill with a composed volley after controlling Noussair Mazraoui’s clever pass. The goal gave United a lifeline and hinted at the attacking potential Amorim could unlock with time and tactical refinement.
Amorim made key adjustments at halftime, bringing on Diogo Dalot for Malacia to strengthen the defense. United began the second half brightly, with Mason Mount striking the crossbar and Manuel Ugarte delivering a sharp assist for Højlund’s second goal. The Danish striker finished clinically, appearing offside, but the goal stood, putting United back in front.
As the match wore on, United’s vulnerability remained evident. Alejandro Garnacho squandered a golden opportunity to extend the lead, hesitating too long before shooting. Amorim responded with a flurry of substitutions, introducing Luke Shaw, Amad Diallo, Marcus Rashford, and later Casemiro. These changes helped United hold on to their advantage, though not without further moments of tension.
Bodø/Glimt pressed for an equalizer in the closing stages, with Onana making a crucial save to deny Patrick Berg’s late free-kick. United missed chances to kill off the game, with Rashford firing wide from a promising position and a sequence of shots from Diallo and Bruno Fernandes failing to find the net.
The final whistle brought relief for Amorim and his team, as they secured a vital three points. The victory moved United up to 12th in the Europa League standings, offering a positive start to Amorim’s Old Trafford journey. However, the match underlined the scale of the task ahead, with defensive lapses and missed opportunities revealing a team still in need of cohesion and consistency.
Amorim’s composure on the touchline and his honest post-match reflections hinted at his potential to connect with players and fans alike. He acknowledged the challenges of taking over a team he is still getting to know but expressed gratitude for the support he received. With a long season ahead, Amorim’s ability to instill discipline and implement his tactical philosophy will determine whether he can bring sustained success to a club hungry for revival.
