Evening Standard
·28 November 2024
In partnership with
Yahoo sportsEvening Standard
·28 November 2024
The new United boss has overseen a win in his first game at Old Trafford
Ruben Amorim has compared his first home game as Manchester United to a “real ride” after they came from behind to beat Bodo/Glimt 3-2 in the Europa League.
It was an entertaining watch at Old Trafford as Alejandro Garnacho struck inside the opening two minutes to hand the Portuguese tactician a dream start on his bow at the Theatre of Dreams.
Still, just like against Ipswich on Sunday, United couldn’t build on the lead. Pegged back by Hakon Evjen before conceding to Philip Zinckernagel’s strike minutes later, Amorim’s special night was in danger of being ruined by the Norwegian outfit.
However, Rasmus Hojlund came to the rescue. Equalising with a brilliant effort on the stroke of half-time, the Denmark international scored what turned out to be the winner early in the second half as he tapped home Manuel Ugarte’s cross.
By no means a straightforward victory, but a victory nonetheless and Amorim gave his thoughts on proceedings after the game.
"Like a real ride, we started very well then we suffered two goals in two transitions,” he told TNT Sports. “I liked the way the players continued to play our game, I could feel the crowd when it was 2-1, sometimes we won the ball and we had problems in the past where we give the ball [away] too much.
"So the mindset now is to keep the ball and sometimes they have to go forward, they are really trying but i think we deserved the win.
"Of course I see what everybody sees, good moments, difficult moments, some confusion in the end trying to hold the result but the lads did a great job, they ran, they pressed, they tried to do the things we worked on these three days and we won.”
Amorim also reserved some kind words to the Old Trafford faithful having been given a warm reception before and after the game.
"The first thing is that half of the stadium doesn't really know me, I came from Portugal and I have done nothing for this club yet, so the way they make me feel at home is so special,” he added.
"It's not after something, it's before something. This is something special and I will keep this to the end of my career."