Manchester United 3-2 Bodo/Glimt: Rúben Amorim has found two perfect system stars

Five things noticed as Manchester United secure a 3-2 win over Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League at Old Trafford under Rúben Amorim.

Rúben Amorim chose to start Tyrell Malacia for the first time in 550 days as Manchester United faced Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League on Thursday evening during his first Old Trafford tie as the club’s head coach.

The tie started perfectly. Within a minute, United was a goal up after Rasmus Højlund pressed the opposition goalkeeper into a mistake, which Alejandro Garnacho pounced on to finish into an open net.

Read More: Player Ratings – Manchester United vs Bodo/Glimt (Europa League)

However, United once again failed to capitalise on their fast start, and goals either side of 20 minutes saw the visitors find themselves 2-1 up with a quarter of the tie gone. United were being wholly overrun in defence.

With United under the cosh, they continued to face pressure, and it felt as if they just needed to get to half-time. However, a fantastic cross from Noussair Mazroaui and a brilliant finish from Rasmus Højlund levelled the score just before the whistle blew.

Amorim chose to swap Malacia for Diogo Dalot as the second half kicked off, and United created a fantastic chance for Mason Mount, who hit the bar with a lovely curling effort.

Moments later, Manuel Ugarte found himself with the ball at his feet in the area, where he found Højlund, who handed United their lead back with a tidy finish.

United continued to look for a fourth, with Garnacho, in particular, finding himself in great positions, but to no avail. Some fantastic saves from André Onana towards the end secured United three points on the night.

#1 – Another fast start, another collapse

For the second game in a row, United found themselves a goal up mere moments after kick-off. But once again, they failed to capitalise.

Despite the opening boost, United could not use the momentum to grab a second. Individual errors ruin attacks and allow Bodo/Glimt time and motivation to get back into the game.

Once the club retook the lead in the second half, they were able to make much better use of the advantage, and although Bodo/Glimt came close on occasion, they were able to hold on to their lead and secure their first win under Amorim.

#2 – Centre-backs too keen to press

Bodo/Glimt’s first two goals came from United’s centre-backs being too keen to press the midfield, leaving plenty of space for the opposition to exploit.

For the first, Mazraoui darted into the middle of the pitch but failed to intercept, leaving De Ligt and Martínez scrambling before a brilliant goal from Håkon Evjen saw the scores level.

Minutes later, Lisandro Martínez did the same on the opposite side, leaving Malacia scrambling once he couldn’t win the ball. The Netherlands left-back was beaten in the footrace, and United was a goal down.

It’s a weakness within the side that Amorim must fix. Potentially, it’s a tactical flaw in the system that may require new players to fix.

#3 – Amorim’s adaption

Once Dalot came on for Malacia in the second half, Amorim moved Garnacho wider on the left, with the Portuguese international coming inside, almost where Garnacho was playing in the first half.

The idea was immediately impactful, with Garnacho in a much more comfortable position out wide. At the same time, Dalot was able to affect play from an inverted role, as he has done so often in this campaign.

Garnacho got himself into more goalscoring positions but failed to find the net. As United crawled to the line, it felt as if the club might rue the missed chances, but

#4 – Players finding their feet

Compared to the Ipswich game, it looked like United’s players were starting to find their feet.

On the weekend, there was a lot of miscommunication, with Amorim explaining that he felt his players were overthinking on the pitch. Against Bodo/Glimt, the display looked more fluid, no doubt due to the extra training.

Mount, Ugarte, and Martínez were afforded their first starts under the new boss, who is looking to give as many players as possible good minutes across the opening months of his reign.

#5 – Two perfect system displays

Both Højlund and Mazraoui’s performances were perfect. Højlund was brilliant in his first start under Amorim, making himself aggressive, proactive, and intelligent in front of goal.

Bar his pressing error in the first half, Mazraoui was just as fantastic in defence as he continues to build on the endless positive displays he’s shown at United.

With Amorim’s instructions to both players clear, they both showed the new head coach that they could be the perfect stars for his system at United.

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