UEL: Manchester United Edge Bodo/Glimt 3-2 in Thrilling Europa League Clash

Manchester United Come from Behind to Defeat Bodo/Glimt in Europa League

Ruben Amorim's half-time team talk seemingly had a profound impact on his players, as...

Manchester United secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Bodo/Glimt in the UEFA Europa League, thanks in part to a double from Rasmus Hojlund.

Rasmus Hojlund scored a crucial brace as Manchester United staged a thrilling comeback to defeat Bodo/Glimt 3-2 at Old Trafford. This victory marked a triumphant debut for Ruben Amorim as Manchester United's head coach, as his team extended their unbeaten home run to six matches across all competitions.

In a stark contrast to their previous match against Ipswich, where they took the lead within 82 seconds, Manchester United found themselves trailing early on against Bodo/Glimt. The visitors caught United off guard, scoring within the opening minute to stun the Old Trafford faithful.

The opening goal, finished by Alejandro Garnacho into an empty net, owed a great debt to the tireless efforts of Rasmus Hojlund. The Danish forward hassled Bodo goalkeeper Nikita Haikin in his own 18-yard box, ultimately dispossessing him and creating the opportunity for Garnacho to score.

Despite their promising start, Manchester United failed to capitalize on a series of scoring opportunities, and their profligacy was eventually punished. A familiar problem resurfaced, as United conceded two goals in quick succession, relinquishing their lead for the fourth time in five UEFA Europa League matches. This defensive vulnerability continues to plague the Red Devils in European competition.

Bodo/Glimt's equalizing goal was a masterpiece of individual skill, as Hakon Evjen expertly exploited a gap between Manchester United's defensive lines on the edge of the area. With precision and finesse, Evjen curled a sublime effort into the top corner, leaving Andre Onana helpless in the United goal.

The visitors' second goal exposed United's defensive vulnerabilities, as a long ball over the top caught Tyrell Malacia, making his first senior start in over a year, out of position. Philip Zinckernagel seized the opportunity, using his pace to leave Malacia trailing before calmly slotting the ball underneath Onana. The massive contingent of Bodo/Glimt supporters, the largest for a European tie at Old Trafford in modern history, were ecstatic, while United's coach Ruben Amorim was left frustrated, scratching his head at his team's defensive lapses.

Reeling from the swift turnaround, Manchester United desperately needed a response to restore parity before the interval. It arrived in spectacular fashion on the stroke of half-time, courtesy of Rasmus Hojlund's brilliance.

Noussair Mazraoui's exceptional footwork created the space for him to deliver a pinpoint cross, which Hojlund expertly controlled and finished in one swift motion. Sliding between two defenders, Hojlund buried the ball into the bottom corner with precision, reviving United's hopes.

The momentum swung firmly in Manchester United's favor after the restart, as they began to exert pressure on the Bodo/Glimt defense. The hosts came agonizingly close to regaining the lead when Mason Mount's curled effort crashed against the upright, leaving the Old Trafford faithful gasping in unison.

Undeterred, United continued to press, and their persistence was soon rewarded. A slick, well-crafted move involving Mount and Manuel Ugarte down the right flank culminated in Ugarte squaring the ball to Rasmus Hojlund. With the goal at his mercy, Hojlund calmly slotted the ball into the far corner, doubling his tally for the night and restoring United's lead in the process.

Ruben Amorim's half-time team talk seemingly had a profound impact on his players, as they emerged in the second half looking far more cohesive and organized. However, despite their improved performance, establishing a two-goal cushion appeared beyond Manchester United's reach. Alejandro Garnacho, in particular, was guilty of spurning a quartet of promising chances, while Marcus Rashford also dragged a shot wide from a favorable position inside the box.

Although United's defense looked somewhat unsettled following the introduction of second-half substitutes Casemiro and Luke Shaw, who slotted into a back three, they managed to navigate the majority of the second half without major incident. A late scare did materialize in stoppage time, but Andre Onana was equal to the task, saving a free-kick to preserve United's 3-2 victory. This win marked their second successive triumph in the UEFA Europa League, moving them to within a point of the automatic qualification places.

Meanwhile, Bodo/Glimt suffered their second consecutive UEFA Europa League defeat, dropping them behind Manchester United in the standings. The Norwegian side will now shift their focus to a crucial domestic title showdown this weekend.