Manchester United 3, Bodo/Glimt 2 (UEFA Europa League)
Rasmus Hojlund scored a brace as Manchester United fought back from 2-1 down to win 3-2 against Bodo/Glimt.
After taking the lead in 81 seconds at Ipswich, Ruben Amorim’s Reds seems to be copying the Brentford early goal blueprint once again in a rousing start at Old Trafford for the Portuguese manager.
United were in the lead after just 49 seconds after a nightmare start by the Bodo/Glimt goalkeeper Nikita Haikin misjudging a back pass by Jostein Gundersen.
His hesitation allowed Rasmus Hojlund to harry him into a mistake and Alejandro Garnacho capitalised by smashing home the loose ball into the empty net.
But United rested on their laurels against the Norwegians and were punished for lax defending when they were twice caught on the break by Hakon Evjen and then by a solo run from half way by Philip Zinckernagel who had Tyrell Malacia on toast.
Bodo/Glimt were nervous at times though, and with a little more confidence of their own United might have had goals of their own but for blocked efforts from Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes.
But United’s efforts to rack up more chances went to waste as their wide options – Tyrell Malacia and Antony – disappointed.
United took the lead soon after the restart when they put together a good move with Mason Mount releasing Manuel Ugarte to cross for Rasmus Hojlund to take the lead following a brief VAR check.
The Norwegians couldn’t find an equaliser as United kept the upper hand despite some worrying moments when Andre Onana had to come out of his area to block Jens Petter Hauge.
Alejandro Garnacho could have extended United’s lead but could not build on his exciting start with more goals.
And in the end, with the Reds unable to increase their lead, they were forced to defend with three full backs and a midfielder in Casemiro, Andre Onana was booked for time wasting while Patrick Berg’s free kick was palmed away by the United keeper in injury time as the home side held on for a nervous victory.
PLAYER RATINGS – Manchester United 3, Bodo/Glimt 2 (UEFA Europa League)
Andre Onana: 6. Exposed by some over-enthusiastic attacking by his team mates and a rather desperate booking for time wasting at the end. No repeat of his Ipswich heroics today but he did come out of his goal to block Jens Petter Hauge in a rare Bodo/Glimt attack in the second half.
Noussair Mazraoui: 8. Super performance at the back. Set up the equaliser after intercepting a clearance and crossing for Rasmus Hojlund.
Mathijs De Ligt: 6. Early battle with Fredrik Andre Bjorkan. Exposed for the second goal.
Lisandro Martinez: 6. Very comfortable in defence but missing upfield when Philip Zinckernagel counter attacked.
Antony: 6. Right wing back role, put some balls into the box but not dangerous ones .
Manuel Ugarte: 8. Tasked with a midfield enforcer role he was familiar with but also turned provider, involved during both Rasmus Hojlund’s goals.
Bruno Fernandes: 6. Deeper role with more responsibility but still pulling the strings with some cute passes. Had a shot saved.
Tyrell Malacia: 5. First start in over a year. Pushed up very high and tried to get balls into the box. Caught out and outpaced by Philip Zinckernagel for Bodo/Glimt second goal. Subbed off at half time.
Mason Mount: 7. Had an early shot saved and hit the crossbar in the second half. Involved in the build up and he started the move that ended with Rasmus Hojlund’s second of the night.
Alejandro Garnacho: 8. Nipped in to tap the ball into an empty net as Nikita Haikin had a nightmare start. Tested Haikin again in the second half but couldn’t beat him again. Confidence in front of goal meant he was not afraid to have a go but shooting was otherwise wayward.
Rasmus Hojlund: 9. Pressed from the off and got instant reward, almost repeated the feat when pressing Odin Bjortuft later in the first half before grabbing a classy goal of his own just before the break. Grabbed a second goal after the break
Diogo Dalot (on for Tyrell Malacia, 46): 6. Slotted in at left back to watch Philip Zinckernagel. One promising run ended with a bad pass. Defended quite deep later in the game.
Marcus Rashford (on for Mason Mount, 59): 6. Went to the right of the front 3. Shot wide from acute angle late on.
Amad Diallo (on for Antony, 59): 6. Came on as right wing back as United were dominant.
Luke Shaw (on for Lisandro Martinez, 59): 6. Encouraging run out.
Casemiro (on for Mathijs De Ligt, 66): 6. Straight into the centre of defence where he helped United hold on to their lead although he did give away a late free kick.
GOALS – Manchester United 3, Bodo/Glimt 2 (UEFA Europa League)
Man Utd 1, Bodo/Glimt 0: 1. Big mistake by Nikita Haikin off his line trying to clear Jostein Gundersen’s backpass allowed Rasmus Hojlund to press him into a mistake, Alejandro Garnacho raced in and smashed home the loose ball from close range.
Man Utd 1, Bodo/Glimt 1: 18. Hakon Evjen rattled in a long range shot from 20 yards out after a clearance by Mathijs De Ligt was sent back with interest after a swift break by the visitors – Sondre Brunstad Fet was given plenty of space to pick out his team mate.
Man Utd 1, Bodo/Glimt 2: 23. Tyrell Malacia was caught upfield and outstripped for pace by Philip Zinckernagel despite having a 2 yard head start from half way. The solo run ended with a goal in the bottom corner from 8 yards out with Mathijs De Ligt slow to get across.
Man Utd 2, Bodo/Glimt 2: 45. Rasmus Hojlund teed himself up and volleyed home the equaliser after Noussair Mazraoui intercepted a clearance and weaved his way towards the box before putting a cross in for his team mate.
Man Utd 3, Bodo/Glimt 2: 50. Rasmus Hojlund tapped in from 12 yards after United sliced open the visitors defence and Manuel Ugarte squared the ball to him from the right.
MATCH STATS – Manchester United 3, Bodo/Glimt 2 (UEFA Europa League)
Man Utd: Onana, Mazraoui, De Ligt (Casemiro 66), Martinez (Shaw 59), Antony (Diallo 59), Ugarte, Fernandes (C), Malacia (Dalot 46), Mount (Rashford 59), Garnacho, Hojlund
Man Utd Subs not used: Bayindir, Heaton, Zirkzee, Eriksen, Mainoo
Bookings: Onana (time wasting 89); Casemiro 90+1 (handball)
Goals: Garnacho 1, Hojlund 45, 50
Bodo/Glimt: Haikin, Wembangomo (Sjovold 63), Gundersen, Bjortuft, Bjorkan, Evjen (Auklend 83), Berg (C), Brunstad Fet (Saltnes 72), Zinckernagel (Maatta 72), Hauge, Helmersen (Hogh 63)
Bodo/Glimt Subs not used: Lund, Nielsen, Espejord, Moe, Sorli, Sorensen, Mikkelsen
Booking: Helmerson 21 (foul on Bruno Fernandes)
Goals: Evjen 18; Zinckernagel 23
Referee: Lawrence Visser (BEL)