Manchester United took on Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League on Thursday night, looking to give Ruben Amorim a win on his Old Trafford debut. Andre Onana lined up in nets as usual with the back three consisting of Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and the returning Lisandro Martinez, who recovered from injury this week.
Tyrell Malacia made his first appearance since May 2023 and Antony was also deployed at right wing back. Manuel Ugarte was partnered by Bruno Fernandes in the centre of the park and the front three consisted of Mason Mount, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund.
The Red Devils got the Amorim era off to the perfect start, scoring after two minutes against Ipswich Town and the same occurred tonight when Alejandro Garnacho fired the home side in front in even faster fashion, just before the minute mark. Sadly for United, they could not build on the lead just like they failed to do so on Sunday evening. Two quick fire goals from the visitors silenced Old Trafford and once again presented the huge issues that Amorim has been tasked to fix.
On the one hand, he is clearly getting through to the players to fly out of the traps and slow starts were often a hallmark of the Erik ten Hag era. On the other hand though, it highlights the immense mental frailty that exists in the United dressing room and will take weeks, if not months, to weed out entirely. To be fair to Amorim, he took a gamble and rotated by playing Tyrell Malacia and Antony in the wingback roles and offered rotation that many fans have been begging for.
It is safe to say that United’s squad does not scream out that it is suitable for the 3-4-3 formation as both players struggled to fulfil their roles. Malacia tried hard and his performance must be judged in the context that he was being asked to play his first game in well over a year in an unfamiliar role. He got up and down the pitch and took up some nice positions in attack but he was easily outpaced and outfought for the visitor’s second goal and highlighted the problems United have.
Antony struggled to make any real impact in attack or defence and nobody would seriously suggest he is the long term solution. The Red Devils have been linked to blockbuster moves for Alphonso Davies and Theo Hernandez lately and it is almost impossible to quantify the upgrade either of these players would bring to the wingback role.
The Dane was left out of Amorim’s first starting line up against the Tractor Boys at the weekend but was given the chance to prove himself on Thursday night. Hojlund’s Old Trafford career has been the definition of a rollercoaster with numerous ups and downs.
Tonight was a roaring success as he ferociously closed down the Bodo/Glimt keeper and won the ball for Garnacho to tap into an empty net. He worked hard with his usual lack of service but turned on the style when he was provided with some. A great touch and volleyed finish brought United level just before half-time and will remind Amorim what he is capable of. He didn’t need long either in the second half as he showed predatory instinct to prod home from close range.
The Red Devils have been heavily linked to Amorim’s former striker at Sporting Lisbon, Viktor Gyokeres, but Hojlund will hope he will have enough chances to prove to the Portuguese coach that he can be the man to lead United’s line for the foreseeable future.
The second half saw United aim to hit the Norwegians over the top and time and time again they got in behind the visitors. Unfortunately, Alejandro Garnacho spurned two fantastic opportunities after being well set up by Hojlund and Amad Diallo. Marcus Rashford was also well played in by Mazraoui but once again blazed his shot wide with the goal at his mercy.
The Red Devils have been very slack in front of goal this season and this is something that Amorim will be desperate to work on as the season wears on.