Rúben Amorim took on a European adventure in his first home game as Manchester United’s manager. The Red Devils hosted FK Bodø/Glimt in Old Trafford for their UEFA Europa League clash, and the fans didn’t disappoint their players as they pulled up in their numbers, producing a total of 6,714 traveling fans.
Manchester United took the lead in less than a minute through Alejandro Garnacho. Rasmus Højlund closed Nikita Haikin down after he failed to clear a shot, and the ball fell to Garnacho, who put it in the back of the net.
Håkon Evjen drew FK Bodø/Glimt level with a shot from 20 yards out. Four minutes later, Philip Zinckernagel put Glimt ahead to the delight of the away fans who had traveled all the way from Norway.
Manchester United drew level in the dying stages of the first half. Noussair Mazraoui played a nice ball from the right, which got to Højlund, who controlled it and sent it past Haikin. Højlund restored parity for Manchester United during the early stages of the 2nd half. Manuel Ugarte crossed a ball to Højlund, which the striker calmly put into the net.
Haikin made amends for his error earlier in the match by saving Garnacho’s shot in the 54th minute. The Ivorian international was close to extending his personal goal tally of the season when he drove inside the box in the 70th minute and shot, but Haikin again stood up tall.
Garnacho had the chance to ramp up the game in the 76th minute after he found himself in front of Haikin, but Garnacho blasted his shot wide.
The win takes Manchester United close to the automatic qualification places – 12th on the UEFA Europa League table and one point behind the top eight places .
Rúben Amorim praised his side’s performance: “I see what everyone sees. Good moments, difficult moments, some confusion in the end. But the lads did a great job.” He also thanked the fans for their warm welcome: “Half of the stadium doesn’t really know me. I came from Portugal. I have done nothing for this club. The way they made me feel at home… it is something special, and I will keep it until the end of my career.”
Rasmus Højlund admitted that Rúben Amorim’s instructions played a part in him assisting Garnacho’s goal: “He told me not to think too much about the guys behind me and just work on what I can see in front of me. We saw that with the first goal.”
By:Doyinsola Ibidunni
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