Man United 3-2 Bodo/Glimt: Ruben Amorim has already had a remarkable impact on Rasmus Hojlund, writes CHRIS WHEELER after double in comeback win on boss’ home debut

As the seconds ticked down towards the end of his first game at Old Trafford, Manchester United conceded a free kick right on the edge of the penalty box and Ruben Amorim retreated to the sanctuary of his dug-out. He could hardly bring himself to watch.

We were in the second of three minutes added on by Belgian referee Lawrence Visser. Bodo/Glimt captain Patrick Berg took aim and fired inside the post, but Andre Onana dived to keep it out and Amorim breathed again.

Bemvindo a casa Ruben, declared a banner in the Stretford End when he walked out before kick-off. Welcome home indeed. Welcome to a world of suffering and nights like this when even Europa League wins over teams from Norway come with a health warning.

At least Amorim’s Old Trafford bow ended in victory – and just as well in a week when United are trying to convince fans it’s worth paying considerably more to watch their team play.

As it was, a 3-2 win offered plenty of entertainment if not some rather uncomfortable reminders of those crazy European nights under Erik ten Hag.

United are moving at pace under Amorim. Quick goals, quick change and, it seems, quick results. 

The man who turned Viktor Gyokeres into one of the hottest strikers in Europe at Sporting Lisbon has already had an impact on another Scandinavian forward just a week after starting work with Rasmus Hojlund.

The 21-year-old Dane scored twice and grabbed an assist to see off the challenge of Bodo/Glimt and lift United into 12th place in the Europa League table above the Norwegians.

The Dane struggled to justify his £72million price tag under Ten Hag but the hope among United’s hierarchy is that he will be one of the players who benefits most from Amorim’s arrival.

Enough to persuade United not to go after Gyokeres? We will see. But the early signs are promising as Hojlund used his physicality to maximum effect to give Amorim his first win after Sunday’s draw at Ipswich.

It didn’t always look like ending that way against a team on the cusp of being crowned champions of Norway for the fourth time in five years. Having once again gone ahead after a matter of seconds, United trailed before Hojlund led the fightback with goals either side of half-time.

The decision to play Tyrell Malacia from the start on his first outing in 18 months after double knee surgery backfired when he was exposed for Bodo/Glimt’s second goal and replaced at the interval.

Having regained the lead, United squandered enough opportunities to put the game to bed – with Alejandro Garnacho particularly culpable – leaving Amorim biting his fingernails at the end.

But a win is a win and some reward for the new head coach’s bold decision to implement his game plan by effectively having his players learning on the job.

Amorim has taken the view that it’s better to effect change immediately rather than wait until next summer when he can sign players more suited to the roles. He admits his team will ‘suffer’ for it, but it’s short-term pain for long-term gain and that was felt at times again last night.

It could have got off to a much better start. Having seen his team go ahead after 80 seconds at Ipswich, he only had to wait 48 seconds this time.

Goalkeeper Nikita Haikin foolishly decided to keep hold of the ball after receiving a back-pass from Jostein Gundersen, and Hojlund saw his chance. He slid in to block and then cleverly using his body to stop the keeper from reaching the loose ball. Garnacho had the simplest of tasks to tap into an empty net.

United couldn’t hold onto their lead until half-time at Portman Road and it lasted only until the 19th minute here as the team from 120 miles north of the Arctic Circle hit back.

Jens Petter Hauge split them with an excellent throughball and Sondre Brunstad Fet teed up Hakon Evjen to fire into the top corner.

No matter how mediocre United have been over the past decade, there is still that sense of shock when teams like Bodo/Glimt score at Old Trafford.

Four minutes later, it turned to disbelief. Haikin rolled the ball out to Brice Wambangomo who fed Berg and his blind, first-time pass sent Philip Zinckernagel haring down the right in a race with Malacia.

The Dutchmen’s lack of fitness and pace was ruthlessly exposed as Zinckernagel accelerated clear and rifled the ball past Onana. Was it the right decision to start Malacia after so long out? It didn’t feel that way and he was replaced by Diogo Dalot at half-time.

Bodo/Glimt became only the second team to score twice inside the opening 23 minutes in a European game at Old Trafford. The other were Braga in October 2012 when Amorim was playing for United’s Portuguese opponents. 

Evjen could have made it three before United equalised just before half-time. Noussair Mazraoui deserves huge credit for breaking up a counter-attack and then beating two men before crossing to the edge of the six-yard box. Hojlund was being marked by two defenders but his first touch took the ball under close control and the second was a clever volley into the corner.

Garnacho had already hit the bar before Hojlund claimed his second goal of the game in the 50th minute. The build-up was quick and incisive, Mason Mount flicking Mazraoui’s pass into the path of Manuel Ugarte. The Uruguayan’s low cross picked out Hojlund in front of goal and he was always going to be too strong for Odin Bjortuft as he outmuscled the defender to score from close range.

Garnacho missed three clear chances to increase the lead and United almost paid the price when Dalot’s poor back-pass let in the visitors. Onana came into midfield to make a crucial tackle on Hauge, and then pulled off the late, late save from Berg, much to Amorim’s relief.

Four minutes later, it turned to disbelief. Haikin rolled the ball out to Brice Wambangomo who fed Patrick Berg and his blind, first-time pass sent Philip Zinckernagel haring down the right in a race with Malacia.

The Dutchmen’s lack of fitness and pace was ruthlessly exposed as Zinckernagel accelerated clear and rifled the ball past Onana. Was it the right decision to start Malacia after so long out? It certainly felt as though the decision had backfired and he was replaced by Diogo Dalot at the interval.

Evjen could have made it three before United equalised just before half-time. Mazraoui deserves huge credit for breaking up a counter-attack and then beating two men before crossing to the edge of the six-yard box. Hojlund was being marked by two men but his first touch took the ball under close control and the second was a clever volley into the corner.

Garnacho had already hit the bar before Hojlund claimed his second goal of the game in the 50th minute. The build-up was quick and incisive, Mount flicking Mazraoui’s pass into the path of Ugarte. The Uruguayan’s low cross picked out Hojlund in front of goal and he was always going to be too strong for Odin Bjortuft as he outmuscled the defender to score from close range.

Garnacho missed three clear chances to increase the lead and United almost paid the price when Dalot’s poor back-pass let in the visitors and Onana had to come into midfield to make a crucial tackle on Hauge.

It was enough to give Amorim his first win on a night when Hojlund was the hero.