Manchester United vs Bodø/Glimt: Match Preview, What to expect, key players
Ruben Amorim will be in the Old Trafford dugout for the first time when Manchester United host Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt in the Europa League on Thursday.
The Portuguese tactician started his reign as the Red Devils boss with a 1-1 draw with Premier League newcomers Ipswich Town at Portman Road over the weekend.
Before he departed Sporting CP, Amorim had a nearly-perfect record in Europe this season, winning three and drawing one of the Champions League fixtures he managed for the Portuguese giants.
He will seek to maintain his excellent record with Man United, although this time in the Europa League.
Match Preview
United haven’t had the best start in the Europa League, only recording their first win in the last fixture against PAOK. They have four points from four games, one fewer than Bodø/Glimt have managed.
Thursday’s meeting is the first between the two sides across all competitions, and it will be United’s first meeting against Norwegian opposition.
United couldn’t have hoped for a better time to face Bodø/Glimt. The Norwegian top-flight table-toppers have recorded just one win in their last five games across all competitions.
By contrast, the Red Devils have three wins in the last five games, including the victory against PAOK on the previous matchday.
What to expect
Amorim is expected to maintain his 3-4-2-1 formation, but it is unclear whether he will alter his starting line-up.
Being the home side and the better team on paper, the Red Devils are expected to dominate possession, just as they did against Ipswich. However, they will have to do better with the ball.
Per FOTMOB, United attempted 649 passes against the Tractor Boys, but only 149 were made in the opposition half. The Premier League newcomers completed 205 passes in United’s half.
Unsurprisingly, Kieran McKenna’s side created more quality chances than the Red Devils, boasting 1.59 XG compared to the away side’s 0.80.
Bodø/Glimt head coach Kjetil Knutsen favours a 4-3-3 formation and has had his side outplayed by their opponents twice in the Europa League this term.
The Norwegian outfit are not resolute defensively, conceding five goals in the competition. Goalkeeper Nikita Haikin has been busy, averaging six saves per game.
Key Players
Manchester United
Amad Diallo: The Ivorian is the Red Devils’ most highly rated in the competition and grabbed the assist for the first goal scored under Amorim. He scored the two goals to help United secure their first win in the Europa League this term.
Andre Onana: The Cameroonian shot-stopper saved United from the jaws of defeat against Ipswich and finished the game with 0.67 prevented goals.
Bodø/Glimt
Patrick Berg: He has been one of the standout players in the Europa League this term, bagging one goal and an assist. If United are to prevent an upset against the Norwegian side, he must be kept quiet.
Nikita Haikin: The 29-year-old shot-stopper boasts an 82.8 percent save percentage, has averaged six saves per game and prevented 1.8 goals. With the Red Devils most likely to dominate the clash, Bodø/Glimt will be hoping Haikin produces another masterclass to return to Norway unscathed.
Article written by Henry Thornton .