Rasmus Højlund played a key role in Manchester United’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League, not only scoring twice but also setting up the opening goal with a high-pressure moment. In the first half of the game, Højlund’s quick pressing forced Bodo/Glimt’s goalkeeper, Nikita Haikin, into a mistake, allowing Alejandro Garnacho to score a tap-in. Reflecting on his performance, Højlund revealed the advice his new manager, Ruben Amorim, gave him ahead of the match.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the win, Højlund shared that Amorim encouraged him to focus on forward-facing football and to remain aggressive towards the goal. "He told me today not to think too much about the guys behind me and to work more with what I can see in front," Højlund said. "To be very aggressive towards the goal," he added, referencing how this guidance contributed to the first goal. In addition to this assist, Højlund also found the back of the net for the winning goal just five minutes into the second half, where Amorim’s advice to make a run to the near post proved decisive. Højlund positioned himself well to finish a low cross from Manuel Ugarte, putting United ahead for the last time.
The Danish forward noted that the system Amorim has implemented at United reminds him of the setup he played in at Atalanta, suggesting that Amorim’s tactics suit his style of play. However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing, as Bodo/Glimt initially took the lead through goals from Hakon Evjen and Philip Zinckernagel, forcing United to come from behind. Goalkeeper André Onana also made a crucial save late in the game to deny Bodo/Glimt’s Patrick Berg an equalizer, with Højlund commenting on the resilience shown by his teammates. "We showed character, but we need to make sure these games don’t get too exciting," he said.
Despite the dramatic nature of the match, Højlund emphasized the importance of the three points, stating, "The game is about the three points, and we did the job today." United will next face Everton in the Premier League, and Højlund will be eager to continue his form against a team he missed playing against last season due to injury.
Amorim also expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, acknowledging some difficult moments but praising the players’ effort. "The lads did a great job. They ran, they pressed, and we won," said the manager, reflecting on his team's hard-fought victory.
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