Man Utd news: Ruben Amorim displays tactical nous in first win as United boss

After stuttering to a draw with Ipswich in his first game as Manchester United boss, Ruben Amorim secured a victory in his second match.

Sports News Blitz’s resident Man Utd writer Robert Bore assesses the performance at Old Trafford, where Amorim played a huge role in getting United over the finishing line with a clever tactical tweak.

The price is not right

In a week where Manchester United chose to pillage their supporters off the pitch with a ludicrous price hike and removal of concessionary tickets, the Vikings of Bodo/Glimt almost did the same on it.

Ok, I admit it, I had this intro written before half-time and quite liked it so it's a bit flaky considering Ruben Amorim's Old Trafford debut ended in success.

But the Norwegians genuinely threatened to spoil the party and in the process exposed what most people already knew: the former Sporting Lisbon boss is going to need plenty of time in his new gig. 

As it happened, United needed no time to edge in front. Well, almost no time, just 48 seconds to be exact and the fastest goal in this season's competition so far. 

Rasmus Hojlund was the instigator, chasing down a back pass as the keeper dawdled and his subsequent tackle spilled out to Alejandro Garnacho to tap home from six yards. 

United went on the hunt for a second. Bruno Fernandes tried three times but to no avail, Mason Mount saw an effort blocked, and profligacy reigned as in its usual place. 

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Weakness at the back

And, as United do, they were pegged. Not the way your dirty mind is now thinking but with a similar weakness at the back. 

Bodo built, winning a second ball in the centre circle, before driving forward - and when it was pulled back to Hakon Evjen, with United's midfield awol, he spanked a delicious effort into Andre Onana's top-right corner. 

As the away fans celebrated, their players took heart and went 2-1 up soon after. 

Tyrell Malacia was shrugged off far too easily after a hopeful ball over his shoulder and Philip Zinckernagel raced towards goal from almost halfway before despatching through the gaping orifice of Onana's open legs.

There were less than four minutes between the two strikes and United's players again looked like strangers.

Glimt should have had a third as Hakon Evjen flashed over when he really should have hit the target and the inquest - and the aforementioned intro - was in full flow.

Round pegs, square holes. Players clearly not comfortable with their new tasks. Easy column inches.

But, wait. 

Parity restored

Seconds before the whistle our very own Scandinavian restored parity. 

The ever-impressive Noussair Mazraoui was the architect, floating the ball into Hojlund for the Dane to cushion on his left foot before steering into the far corner with his right without it having time to hit the floor. It was instinctive. It was brilliant. It was half-time.

Amorim hooked Malacia for Diogo Dalot at the break and while many thought this was punishment, the Dutchman was a good source of crosses in the opening 45 minutes and did look to pull up slightly late in the half - so was probably just feeling it in his legs after such a long lay-off.

Mount did very well after Garnacho got in behind and fed the Englishman back, but his scooped shot hit the crossbar and went dead in the first real chance of the second half.

United were back in front soon after. 

Mount was again involved as his delicious flick into Manuel Ugarte was squared for Hojlund to side-foot home. 

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High on the front foot

The Dalot tweak looked to be working, offering the hosts a back four when out of possession but sitting high when on the front foot.

A tactical tweak to a system bearing fruit? What was this — witchcraft?  

Garnacho had a chance for the fourth but Haikin saved and Hojlund couldn't net the rebound.

On the hour Amorim made another switch, reverting back to the starting 3-4-3 with Luke Shaw on for Lisandro Martinez as the left-sided centre back. 

Mount makes way

Marcus Rashford and Amad Diallo also joined the fray with Mount and Antony making way. 

Amorim would make the point post-match about the squad's fitness, admitting he had to make some changes on the night due to the lack of it.

He then decided to throw Casemiro on at the heart of the back three for Matthijs de Ligt and, perhaps as a symptom of the changes, the visitors fashioned a couple of half chances.

Garnacho flashed the ball wide and maybe he should have done a little better when the game could have been put to bed - but this is United after all.

It was hearts-in-mouth time as Onana was needed to clear with his feet outside his box, before play swung to the other end and Garnacho fired over.

Rashford dragged his effort wide after a good run in behind but there was still plenty of time for United to blow it.

Onana beat a header away, although an incorrect offside flag was raised. 

And when Casemiro was penalised for handball just outside the box, Patrick Berg smashed the free-kick goalwards and Onana pushed it clear.

The final whistle was welcomed.

Amorim would admit to "some good moments and difficult moments" and bemoan two goals conceded on transitions. 

But the win takes his side to within a point of the automatic qualification spots with three games to go. 

Attention now turns to Sunday and the visit of Everton as December sees the games come thick and fast.

And while there's clearly a lot of work to do, Amorim looks tactically adept, not afraid to make a change and is refreshingly honest - at least for now.

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