Hojlund brace secures win in chaotic performance

The banner in the Stretford End was written in Ruben Amorim’s native Portuguese. “Bem vindo a casa,” it read. Welcome home.

- RICHARD JOLLY

Manchester United 3

Garnacho (1), Hojlund (45, 50)

Bodo/Glimt 2

Evjen (19), Zinckernagel (23)

Some 25 minutes into his first game at Old Trafford, Manchester United’s new head coach may have wondered if the welcome constituted more of a warning. His new side were losing 2-1 to a club from inside the Arctic Circle, the self-destructive streak that marred Erik ten Hag’s reign apparent as they conceded twice to Bodo/Glimt, a result every bit as excruciating as the worst under his predecessor on the cards. Amorim had traded a club second in the Champions League for one who, if only briefly, stood 19th in the Europa League standings. United looked experts in embarrassing themselves.

When the final whistle blew, Amorim at least had a first win under his belt. He will hope for more convincing victories; less chaotic ones, too. But he appreciated his reception. “Half of the stadium doesn’t know me, I came from Portugal and I did nothing for this club. Yet the way they make me feel at home is special,” he said. “I felt I am not alone now, I am one of them.”

An eventful evening also offered some encouragement on the pitch, some sense that, amid an awkward beginning, there are players responding to the regime change.