Rasmus Hojlund inspired Manchester United to their first win under Ruben Amorimon Thursday night, as his brace helped the Red Devils come from behind to triumph 3-2 over Bodo/Glimt.
Alejandro Garnacho handed Amorim the perfect start on his Old Trafford debut after capitalising on a goalkeeping blunder to score after just 48 seconds in the Europa League clash.
But two goals in four minutes from the traveling Norwegian outfit put Man United 2-1 behind in the blink of an eye, before Hojlund leveled the score with a superb volley just before the break.
The striker netted again shortly after half time with another smart finish, impressing the manager after being named on the bench during Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Ipswich at Portman Road.
Despite a few late scares, the Red Devils managed to jump up to 12th in the Europa League table, just one point off the automatic qualification places.
Mail Sport’s NATHAN SALT was at Old Trafford to assess how the players fared during Amorim’s home debut.
Rasmus Hojlund inspired Manchester United to a 3-2 win over Bodo/Glimt on Thursday night
The striker’s brace helped United come from behind to win the Europa League clash at Old Trafford
It was an eventful home debut for new Man United boss Ruben Amorim, who claimed his first win
Manchester United (3-4-3)
Andre Onana – 5
Was beaten by a sumptuous strike into the top corner for the first and left badly let down and exposed by his defenders for the second. Hard to blame.
One of six changes to the starting XI at Ipswich and after a shaky start he soon stepped up and showed leadership to turn things around. Impressed Amorim by starting attacks from the back.
Matthjis de Ligt – 4.5
Is in a central role because of his lack of pace but he still makes too many baffling decisions that are costly. Seems to have lost composure and rhythm he found under Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Noussair Mazraoui – 7
The purchase of last summer for Manchester United. Again playing at center back, he got an assist for Rasmus Hojlund’s second goal and was a real threat going forward.
Tyrell Malacia – 4
Looked so slow in his first game for United in 550 days. Got beat too easily by Philip Zinkernagel for Bodo/Glimt’s second goal and never offered a threat in attack. Hooked at half-time.
Manuel Ugarte – 6.5
Game passed him by for 45 minutes but he took it by the scruff of the neck in the second and produced some brilliant movement to cross in for United’s third – and go-ahead – goal.
Returning defender Tyrell Malacia looked very slow in his first game for Man United in 550 days
After a shaky start, Lisandro Martinez impressed the new manager by starting attacks from back
Matthjis de Ligt has lost composure and made too many baffling decisions at centre-half
Bruno Fernandes – 6
Operating in a deeper role than he did at Ipswich, this was a much quieter affair than normal for the United captain.
Antony – 4.5
Got handed an audition at right wing-back and hardly came through it with flying colours. Didn’t seem to know if he was coming or going and hooked after an hour.
Alejandro Garnacho – 6.5
Quick as a flash as he broke the deadlock after 49 seconds. His decision-making continues to need serious improvement though after missing some gilt-edged chances.
Mason Mount – 6
Really clever flick to tee up Ugarte for Hojlund’s second goal but for a player supposedly the most comfortable in this system, he didn’t influence the game anywhere near as much as he should.
Rasmus Hojlund – 9
Two goals and an assist should fill him with confidence. Did brilliantly to press the goalkeeper into a mistake for Garnacho to score the opener, then produced two moments of magic for his goals.
MANAGER: Ruben Amorim – 7
May well have been wondering what he signed up to when his side went down 2-1. Deserves credit for turning it around and being bold with his subs.
It was a quieter night than usual for United captain Bruno Fernandes, who played in a deeper role
Antony hardly came through his audition with flying colours in his new role at right wing-back
Alejandro Garnacho opened the scoring after just 48 seconds but wasted several golden chances
SUBS
Diogo Dalot (for Tyrell Malacia, 46) – 6
Marcus Rashford (for Mason Mount, 59) – 6
Amad Diallo (for Antony, 59) – 7
Luke Shaw (for Lisandro Martinez, 60) – 7
Casemiro (for Matthjis de Ligt, 66) – 6
Bodo/Glimt XI
Haikin 4, Wembangomo 5.5, Gundersen 4, Bjortuft 4.5, Bjorkan 5, Evjen 7 (Auklend 82), Berg 6.5, Brunstad Fet 7 (Saltnes 71), Zinckernagel 7 (Maata 72), Helmersen 6, Hauge 6.5.
Subs: Faye Lund, Nielsen, Hogh, Espejord, Moe, Sjovold, Sorli, Sorensen, Mikkelsen.
Goals: Evjen (19), Zinckernagel (23)
Booked: Helmersen