Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Manchester United, Ruben Amorim, Europa League, Alejandro Garnacho
Luke Davies
Topics: Manchester United, Ruben Amorim, Europa League, Alejandro Garnacho
Manchester United fans have already spotted something different about their team during Ruben Amorim’s first home game in charge.
Amorim, 39, was given a warm reception as he walked out of the Old Trafford tunnel ahead of United’s Europa League clash against Bodø/Glimt on Thursday evening.
The new Red Devils head coach made six changes from the 1-1 draw against Ipswich at Portman Road last Sunday.
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Marcus Rashford, Jonny Evans, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Amad and Diogo Dalot made way for Rasmus Hojlund, Manuel Ugarte, Mason Mount, Tyrell Antony, Malacia and Lisandro Martinez.
But it was not just his team selection that surprised fans.
During the first half-time, supporters noticed United were doing something they hadn’t seen for some time.
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One fan on X said: “A few minutes in and De Ligt hitting that switch to the RWB I was begging for. A big feature of Amorim teams.
“And another to Malacia, which results in a decent cross into the box. That’s a big thing to keep an eye on. Fundamental.”
A second added: "Maz + De Ligt is one of top businesses in recent times"
While a third explained: " [De Ligt] He has been top since the season started."
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Another said: "I love him [De Ligt] so much. People hate on him for the sake of it. He will thrive in a proper system."
The Red Devils got off to a dream start, with the away side’s ‘keeper, Nikita Khaikin, making a huge error before allowing Alejandro Garnacho to tap home from close range within the first minute of proceedings.
However, the joy around Old Trafford was short-lived, as the Norwegian side levelled the scores through Håkon Evjen, who curled a long-range strike past Andre Onana on 19 minutes to the surprise of the United faithful.
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Four minutes later, Glimt took the lead through Philip Zinckernagel, who raced away from Malacia on the far side before calmly slotting past the United 'keeper.
As Old Trafford was becoming anxious and Amorim looked increasingly agitated, Hojlund controlled Noussair Mazraoui's pinpoint cross before finishing with aplomb to send the sides in level at 2-2 at half-time.