Manchester United registered their first win under Portuguese Manager Rúben Amorim against Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt in the Europa League at Old Trafford.
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Story of the match
In freakish fashion, The Red Devils replicated their quick-scoring fashion seen on Sunday against Ipswich in the Premier League.
Bodø/Glimt keeper Nikita Haikin allowed Rasmus Hojlund to sweep in to dispossess him and knock it onto Alejandro Garnacho, who simply smacked it into an empty net after 48 seconds.
The Norwegian Eliteserian league leaders responded beautifully in the 19th minute after Sondre Fet slid a pass back to the edge of the box, where it was struck first time into the top left corner by 24-year-old midfielder Hakon Evjen.
The Superlaget reached dreamland in the 23rd minute when Patrick Berg’s looping effort into the forward line fell to Philip Zinkernagel, who took off on the right flank, beating Tyrel Malacia in a footrace before hammering his effort past Cameroonian André Onana, catapulting the visitors in front at The Theatre of Dreams.
On the brink of the interval Noussair Mazraoui dinked a tasty delivery into the box, Rasmus Hojlund, who was wedged between two defenders, expertly, in one motion controlled the ball on one foot and finished with the other past a hapless Haikin in goal, to balance the score at halftime.
After The Restart
Momentum was with United following the restart; immediate efforts to restore the lead saw Mason Mount's looping shot hit the upright.
Minutes later Manuel Ugarte found space on the right wing and shifted the ball across for Hojlund to double his tally with a striker's finish, outmuscling Odin Luras Bjortuft to clip his shot into the netting.
The hosts squandered a handful of opportunities to double their lead when Garnacho broke free following a Lisandro Martinez through ball from defence. The winger sidestepped his defender and aimed low; Haikin got down with ease to parry it to safety.
Moments later the 20-year-old found himself in a similar position, but the chance was wasted as he flung it wide.
Remarkably, Garnacho was handed a third chance to score out on the left. This time, Amad Diallo picked him out from a counterattack but was left with his hands in his face when it flew over the bar.
United had the chance to put the tie to bed when substitute Marcus Rashford was put through on goal, but he kept up the trend of wasteful second-half opportunities as he dragged his shot wide.
Matchday four's final action at Old Trafford saw Berg standing over a free kick with an eye to level the tie in the tense last moments. His effort, on target and beyond the wall, was stopped terrifically by Onana in order to preserve the win.
Looking Forward
The win sees Manchester United on nine points in 12th, just four points off league leaders Lazio, despite a poor start. Bodø/Glimt fall to 17th in the table on seven points.
United host Everton next in the Premier League where they will hope to make it seven games without defeat.
Bodø/Glimt also turn their attention to Sunday where the stakes sit a little bit higher, victory against Lillestrom will see them crowned Norwegian champions for the fourth time in five seasons.
