Manchester United staged a thrilling comeback to beat Bodo/Glimt 3-2 in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday, securing their first victory under new manager Ruben Amorim.
The match at Old Trafford started with a bang, as United took the lead in the first minute. A miscommunication in the Bodo/Glimt defense saw goalkeeper Nikita Haikin fail to control a back pass under pressure from Rasmus Hojlund. The loose ball fell kindly for Alejandro Garnacho, who tapped in from close range.
However, the Norwegian side responded swiftly with two quick goals. In the 19th minute, Hakon Evjen unleashed a superb strike into the top corner, leveling the score. Just minutes later, Philip Zinckernagel held off Tyrell Malacia and slotted past keeper Andre Onana, putting Bodo/Glimt ahead and stunning the home crowd.
United fought back and equalized just before halftime. Noussair Mazraoui delivered a precise pass into the area, finding Hojlund. The Danish forward controlled the ball expertly before shooting between two defenders into the far corner.
The momentum continued in the second half, with United taking the lead five minutes after the restart. Manuel Ugarte’s low cross was met by Hojlund, who guided the ball into the net for his second goal of the night. Earlier, Mason Mount had struck the crossbar, narrowly missing out on adding to United’s tally.
Despite Bodo/Glimt’s efforts to draw level, United’s defense held firm. Goalkeeper Andre Onana made two crucial saves to preserve the lead. The victory lifted Manchester United to 12th in the standings with nine points, while Bodo/Glimt fell to 17th with seven points.
After the match, manager Ruben Amorim praised his team’s performance, acknowledging both the positive moments and the challenges they faced. He expressed satisfaction with how the players implemented strategies they had worked on in training over the past few days.
Amorim, who recently joined United from Portugal, also shared his appreciation for the support he’s received from the fans. He remarked on feeling at home at Old Trafford despite being new to the club and vowed to cherish this feeling throughout his career.
Reference(s):
Manchester United secure first win under Amorim by edging Bodo/Glimt
cgtn.com
