Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim has secured his first win as Manchester United manager
Now Ruben Amorim knows what it is truly like to manage Manchester United.
Amorim said United would have to suffer, as the players adapt to his new methods and style, and this nerve-shredding affair fully endorsed that declaration. Sunday's draw at Ipswich, his first game in charge, was a tepid affair, but this encounter provided Amorim with the rollercoaster of emotions that comes with managing United.
Joy at an early goal, despair at conceding twice in quick succession, then relief at going ahead again and holding out for the win, despite missing chances to win by a bigger margin. As Amorim walked out for his first game at Old Trafford, United fans unfurled a welcome banner for him, with the ensuing 93 minutes encapsulating what lies ahead for the new man.
Nothing is straightforward at United, who always seem to do things the hard way, and this game was no different - the good, the bad and the ugly all rolled into one thrilling victory. Amorim promised to rotate his squad and was true to his word, making six changes from his first starting line-up.
Rasmus Hojlund gives Ruben Amorim winning home start after Man Utd rocked - 5 talking points
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Tyrell Malacia, who missed all of last season through injury, returned after 550 days out, while Mason Mount made his first appearance since August. Just like at Ipswich, when they scored after 81 seconds, United went ahead early on, this time after just 48 seconds.
Goalkeeper Nikita Haikin tried to be too clever with a back-pass, but succeeded only in getting himself into a heap of trouble. Under pressure from Rasmus Hojlund, Haikin fell to the ground and was stranded, Alejandro Garnacho pouncing on the loose ball and the keeper's calamitous decision-making to score.
But United's early advantage was cancelled out in the 19th minute after a cleverly-worked move and fine goal from the visitors. After collecting the ball in the United area, Sondre Brunstad Fet turned sharply, before feeding Hakon Evjen, who swept a majestic finish beyond Andre Onana.
United found themselves behind four minutes later, captain Patrick Berg finding Philip Zinckernagel, who out-paced Malacia before drilling the ball through Onana's legs. The goal sent the 6,500 travelling Bodo Glimt fans into delirium and it was no more than they and their team deserved, after an enterprising and ebullient start, one which caught United cold.
Rasmus Hojlund scored a brace as United won 3-2 in the Europa League
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Image:
Offside via Getty Images)
Hojlund got United back on level terms just before half-time, controlling a cross from Noussair Mazraoui and then executing a clinical volley to ease the anxiety among the home fans. United only had to wait a couple of minutes to get back in front, a perfect delivery from Manuel Ugarte met by Hojlund, who steered the ball in, surviving a VAR check for offside in the process.
With his side back in front, Amorim rang the changes, bringing on Marcus Rashford, Amad, Luke Shaw and Casemiro, the latter deployed as a centre-back, rather than in his usual midfield role. Garnacho missed two glaring chances to clinch a hat-trick and give United some breathing space, while Onana got away with handball after he strayed 10 yards out of his area to try to halt a counter-attack.
Amorim could not bear to look in added time, crouching down and looking away when Onana had to dive at full-stretch to save a goal-bound free-kick from Berg. But United managed to hang on for the win after their customary white-knuckle ride. Welcome to United, Ruben.
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