Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim reflects on memorable Old Trafford debut in Bodo/Glimt win - 'Something special'
Published 28/11/2024 at 23:10 GMT
The attention was on the dugout and not the pitch for much of Manchester United's UEFA Europa League win over Bodo/Glimt on Thursday night. Ruben Amorim, having made a strong first impression since replacing Erik ten Hag, took charge of his maiden match at Old Trafford, and he looked back at an unforgettable evening on TNT Sports after his side secured a valuable win.
'This is special' - Amorim bowled over by Old Trafford recption for first match
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ruben Amorim described his first match at Old Trafford as "special" after his side came from behind to beat Bodo/Glimt 3-2 in the UEFA Europa League.
The new Manchester United boss was given an enthusiastic welcome by the home fans, having taken charge of his first Premier League game at Ipswich last weekend.
And he guided his side to a welcome Europa League victory, with a brace from Rasmus Hojlund the difference after the visitors struck twice following Alejandro Garnacho's early opener.
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Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Amorim said: "Of course I see what everybody sees, good moments, difficult moments, some confusion at 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 and we won.
"The first thing is that half of the stadium doesn’t know me, doesn’t really know me, I came from Portugal, I did nothing for this club yet, so the way they make me feel at home is so special.
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Highlights: Man Utd win rollercoaster match against Bodo/Glimt after Hojlund brace
Video credit: TNT Sports
"It is not after something, it is before something. It is something special, and I will keep this to the end of my career."
United showed promise in attack but looked vulnerable in defence, and it was clear that they remain a work in progress under the Portuguese.
"It was like a real ride," Amorim added. "We start very well, and then we suffer two goals in two transitions.
"I liked the way the players continued to play our game. I could feel the crowd, when it was 2-1, sometimes we want the ball, and we had problems in the past when we give the ball too much.
"The mindset now is to keep the ball, and sometimes they have to go forward, so we are really trying, but I think we deserved to win."
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Bruno Fernandes operated in a deeper midfield role alongside Manuel Ugarte, a selection that raised some eyebrows initially.
"That is the most experienced player," Amorim explained. "Sometimes we start the play and Bruno is the right man to start the tempo. They play with a back four, so we tried to switch play and Bruno is the best at that."
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The Red Devils now sit 12th in the Europa League standings, with nine points from their first five games.
Having secured his first win as United boss, Amorim and his players will be back at Old Trafford on Sunday to take on Everton in the Premier League.
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