Ruben Amorim was excited by his special reception at Old Trafford and says he already feels a sense of belonging after overseeing Manchester United’s first win as manager.
Having started his reign in Sunday’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Ipswich, the 39-year-old Portuguese took charge for the first time at home in Thursday’s Europa League group win over Norway’s Bodo/Glimt.
United got off to the perfect start when Alejandro Garnacho capitalized on an early error from goalkeeper Nikita Haykin, only for Bodø to take a shock lead thanks to goals from Haakon Evjen and Philipp Zinkernagel.
“Manchester United” made a successful start in the Europa League in the first home game under the leadership of Amorim
Rasmus Hoylund equalized just before half-time with a fine volley and scored another just after the break to secure a 3-2 victory and Amorim’s first win in his first game at Old Trafford.
“It was special, because half of the stadium doesn’t know me,” said the head coach of United. “You can say that I came from Portugal, and half of the stadium doesn’t know me.
“I haven’t done anything for this club yet, but as they supported me in the beginning, I felt that I was not alone.
“I’m like one of them now and it’s been really special, I hope I don’t disappoint my supporters.
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Anton Tolui reflected on Amorim’s first win as Manchester United manager
“I think we’re improving things after the last game. I know it’s a different competition, a different team, but we’re improving with the ball.
“We control the tempo with the ball more, we push the team a little higher, we create more opportunities.
“We have to kill the game down. You carry two passes. I think we have to improve that because it was like a run, it was like a physical thing, one on one.
“You have to improve on that, but I like some of the things the team did today.”
Amorim about how Hojlund needs to improve
Amorim made six changes from Sunday’s Premier League draw at Ipswich, including Hoylund in the starting line-up.
The 21-year-old forward has not shone consistently since joining from Atalanta in 2023 and doubled his tally for the season with a couple of impressive finishes against Bodo.
“I think he’s improved his contact,” Amorim said of Hojlund.
“But it’s very important for us because when we’re on the low block, he’s the guy who keeps the ball. He’s done that very well, he’s got those characteristics.
“He was aggressive in goals, he was aggressive in the box and he is a quality player.
“I think he scores the most difficult goals, so he has a lot to improve on, like every player, but he did a great job today.”
How Amorim adjusted to win his first game
Amorim took charge in his first Manchester United game at Old Trafford against Bodo/Glimt
Sky Sports’ Zinny Boswell.
Amorim warned that his team will have to suffer as they adjust to his new system, and that came to fruition against Bodo/Glimt as the Norwegian champions exposed some glaring holes.
While the team’s pressing was much more impressive with Hoylund and Mason Mount in the front three, there were issues defensively.
Amorim wants his right and left centre-backs to move up to the right to win the ball high in midfield, but the other players were unclear about their responsibilities at this point.
For Eugene’s spot-kick equaliser, Mazraoui was pressed to try and win the ball back, forcing Ugarte to cover, who made a clearance on the edge of the box that Bruno Fernandes, operating further back than Ipswich, had to fill.
It was too late when he realized how much space there was on the edge of the box for Eugene, who found the top corner.
Lisandro Martinez then came on in the second half, leaving Tyrell Malacia one-on-one against Zinkernagel. All it took was a long ball over the top to reveal a gap.
Hojlund’s first goal to level the score at 2-2 was an example of this strategy working to perfection. United moved up the pitch and lost the ball, but Mazraui intercepted and finished the move as provider.
Diogo Dalot came on at half-time for Malaysia, his first appearance for United in 550 days, after he was exposed in Bodo’s second leg.
United stuck to a back three and dominated possession, with Dalot coming on almost as a number 10 but reverting to a back four without the ball to solve the problems that led to the Norwegian champions picking the hosts apart in the first half.
It was rough sailing from there, but United improved markedly, with Amorim having some teething problems but showing enough adaptability to get over the line for their first win.
