It was loud. That’s the first thing you noticed if you were anywhere near Old Trafford on that Thursday night in late November. The "Amorim era" had officially arrived at the Theatre of Dreams, and for a few minutes, it felt like the old, invincible Manchester United was back. Then, things got weird.
If you just looked at the final score of Man Utd vs Bodø Glimt, a 3-2 victory for the home side, you might think it was a standard European night. It wasn't. It was a chaotic, tactically messy, and ultimately thrilling rollercoaster that told us more about Ruben Amorim’s future than a 5-0 blowout ever could.
The 60-Second Mirage
Amorim didn't wait to make his mark. He made six changes from the side that struggled against Ipswich, handing starts to Tyrell Malacia—his first in 18 months—Antony, and Manuel Ugarte.
The game started like a fever dream. Within 60 seconds, Rasmus Højlund charged down Glimt keeper Nikita Haikin, forced a massive blunder, and Alejandro Garnacho tapped into an empty net. 1-0. The stadium erupted. It felt like the tactical "click" everyone had been waiting for happened instantly.
But football is rarely that simple.
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Bodø/Glimt aren't some European pushover. They are the team that famously put six past Jose Mourinho’s Roma. They didn't blink. By the 23rd minute, the Norwegians hadn't just equalized; they were leading. Håkon Evjen curled a beauty past André Onana, and then Philip Zinckernagel absolutely toasted Malacia for pace to slot home a second.
Suddenly, the "Amorim Revolution" looked a lot like the same old United defensive nightmare.
Why Rasmus Højlund is the Real Winner of the New System
Everyone has been obsessing over Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation, but the biggest takeaway from Man Utd vs Bodø Glimt was how it transformed Rasmus Højlund. For months, the Dane looked isolated. In this game, he looked like a monster.
He was involved in all three goals. After the early Garnacho opener, he rescued the first half with a sublime piece of skill. He controlled a cross from Noussair Mazraoui with one foot and volleyed it home with the other before it hit the grass.
- The Pressing: He didn't just wait for the ball; he hunted Haikin.
- The Hold-up Play: He used his frame to link with Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes.
- The Finishing: His second goal (United's third) in the 50th minute was a pure poacher's finish from a Manuel Ugarte assist.
Højlund himself admitted after the match that the system reminds him of his time at Atalanta. It suits him. He’s no longer a lone island; he’s the spearhead of a functional, aggressive unit.
The Mazraoui Experiment
If you want to understand why Amorim is considered a tactical "genius" by some, look at Noussair Mazraoui’s heatmap from this game. He started as a wide center-back in the back three but spent half the night playing as a playmaker.
He provided the assist for the equalizer and played the "pre-assist" through ball that led to the winner. Honestly, he looked like the most creative player on the pitch. Amorim called him the "future" of the club post-match, and you can see why. He’s basically a Swiss Army knife.
What the Stats Don't Tell You
The raw numbers from Man Utd vs Bodø Glimt show United had 72% possession and 20 shots. On paper, that’s dominance. In reality, it was frantic.
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The defensive transition is still a massive problem. When United lost the ball, they looked incredibly vulnerable. Malacia, understandably rusty, was targeted repeatedly. Matthijs de Ligt had moments where he seemed caught between the old "sit deep" mentality and the new "high line" requirement.
It was a "real ride," as Amorim put it. He didn't hide from the fact that the end of the game was a mess of "confusion" as they tried to hold onto the lead.
Actionable Insights for the "Amorim Way"
If you're trying to figure out what this means for the rest of the season, here is what actually matters:
- Forget Static Positions: Players like Garnacho and Amad aren't just "wingers" anymore. They are "inside 10s" who are expected to defend and create in central pockets.
- Fitness is Non-Negotiable: The way United gassed out in the final 15 minutes shows the current squad isn't yet fit enough for Amorim’s "heavy metal" pressing. Expect a brutal mini-preseason behind closed doors.
- The Left-Back Problem: With Malacia still finding his legs and Luke Shaw's fitness always a question mark, the left wing-back spot is the most vulnerable area in this 3-4-3.
The Man Utd vs Bodø Glimt match proved that the talent is there, but the discipline isn't—not yet. It was a victory of individual brilliance (Højlund) and tactical flashes (Mazraoui) over a cohesive team performance.
To see the next step in this evolution, keep a close eye on the distance between the midfield and the defensive line in the upcoming fixtures. If that gap doesn't close, even teams smaller than Bodø/Glimt will continue to find joy on the counter-attack at Old Trafford.
Next Steps: Watch the full highlights specifically focusing on Noussair Mazraoui’s positioning when United have the ball in the middle third. You’ll see the blueprint for how Amorim intends to bypass low blocks in the Premier League.