Like the five predecessors of the past 11 years, Amorim suffered. Under Europa League lights that shone down on the 6,714 partying Bodø/Glimt support, this was a standard welcome to the Theatre of Thrills and Spills as his new team just about made it through to the win.
As the contest closed Andre Onana rushed out of his area, slipped, passed the ball to the opponent, and United were lucky to escape. Seconds after, Garancho spurned a gilded chance.
The passage neatly sums United up: both regarding this evening and the challenge Amorim has accepted. Three points was a pleasing start before his own crowd but his tenure is sure to have copious bumps and bruises and who knows what else.
In the feverish United soap opera how Amorim's 3-4-3 might fare is the latest hot subplot.
At half-time the jury remained out, as his team took the lead, conceded twice, then scored a fine Højlund equaliser that had the No 9 juggling Noussair Mazraoui's dink from right foot to the left from which he dispatched a searing volley.
But, what preceded this was the same United tale of being unable to hold an advantage and being too easy to knife through.
This story is from the November 29, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the November 29, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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