Manchester United claimed their first victory at Old Trafford under new manager Ruben Amorim, overcoming Norway’s Bodo Glimt 3-2 on Thursday evening in the fifth round of the Europa League.
Manchester United’s goals came from Alejandro Garnacho (1) and Rasmus Hojlund (45, 50), while Bodo Glimt responded with goals from Hakon Even (19) and Philipp Zinkrnagal (23).
This victory moved Manchester United up to 9 points, securing 12th place, while Bodo Glimt stayed at 7 points in 17th place.
United took an early lead in the first minute after Bodo Glimt goalkeeper misjudged a clearance. Rasmus Hojlund quickly closed the angle, and the ball fell to Alejandro Garnacho, who made no mistake, firing it into the net to put United 1-0 up.
United controlled possession for much of the first half but struggled to create clear chances until the 15th minute when Noussair Mazraoui played a ball to Bruno Fernandes, whose shot went wide of the mark.
Bodo Glimt took advantage of United’s defensive lapse to equalize in the 19th minute. Bronnstad Veit surged down the left wing and delivered a perfect pass to Haakon Even, who fired a clinical shot into the top corner to level the score.
Just four minutes later, the visitors took the lead. Philipp Zinkernagal received a pass from Berg, advanced to the edge of the box, and unleashed a powerful shot that goalkeeper Andre Onana couldn’t keep out, making it 2-1 to Bodo Glimt.
Bodo Glimt nearly extended their lead in the 27th minute when Zinkernagal combined with Fleet on the left before sending the ball to Even, whose effort sailed just over the crossbar.
Just moments after United captain Bruno Fernandes had a shot deflected off the Bodo Glimt defense, Berg nearly handed United an equalizer in the 41st minute when his attempted clearance almost went into his own net, but goalkeeper Kees De Vries reacted quickly to save it.
In the dying seconds of the first half, United managed to pull level. Mazraoui broke free from his marker on the right wing and sent in a perfect cross. Hojlund was on hand to meet it and fired a shot past De Vries to make it 2-2 before the break.
At half-time, Diogo Dalot replaced Tyrell Malacia in United’s lineup.
In the 47th minute, Garnacho controlled the ball inside the penalty area and passed it to Mason Mount, whose shot ricocheted off the crossbar.
United regained the lead in the 50th minute. Manuel Ugarte made a powerful run into the box, laying off a short pass to Hojlund, who finished with composure to complete his brace and put United 3-2 ahead.
Manchester United came close to extending their lead in the 54th minute when Garnacho raced down the left wing and unleashed a low shot, but Bodo Glimt goalkeeper Kees De Vries was equal to the task, making a brilliant save.
United manager Ruben Amorim made several substitutions, bringing on Marcus Rashford, Amad Diallo, and Luke Shaw in place of Mason Mount, Anthony, and Lisandro Martinez.
Diallo had a chance to score in the 70th minute when he broke free on the right and fired a powerful shot, but De Vries was once again able to block the attempt.
The winger then set up Garnacho in the 76th minute, providing a perfect pass across the goal, but Garnacho’s shot from a good position went over the bar.
Rashford, ignoring Garnacho’s calls for a pass, cut in from the right in the 80th minute and fired a low shot, which De Vries saved once more. Despite not adding to their tally, United held on to secure the 3-2 win.
