Preview: United out to secure their place in the Europa League with another win against Bodø/Glimt! Amorim boosted by returns from injury!

Manchester United -v- Bodø/Glimt

UEFA Europa League

Old Trafford, Manchester

Thursday 28 November 2024, KO 20:00 GMT

Manchester United return to UEFA Europa League action on Thursday evening as they welcome Bodø/Glimt to the Theatre of Dreams. United started their Ruben Amorim era positively on Sunday with a 1-1 draw away to Ipswich Town in the Premier League but the Portuguese manager will be seeking a won over the Norwegian side.

United’s form in the Europa League this season is not great having played four matches, winning one and drawing three – sitting undefeated in the competition. United sit in 15th place after for matches, which means they are in the play off places – meaning two knockout matches will need to be played if they stay there.

United will need to get a few wins under their belts in the Europa League before the end of 2024 to propel them into the top eight teams in the competition, which means they go straight into the round of 16 stage, rather than play two more matches. Bodø/Glimt sit in 12th place, a point better off over United.

United – Form, Goals Scored & Assists

Ipswich 1-1 D, Leicester 3-0 W, PAOK 2-0 W, Chelsea 1-1 D, Leicester 5-2 W, West Ham 2-1 L

Goals: 7 – Alejandro Garnacho, 5 – Marcus Rashford, 4 – Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, 3 – Amad, Casemiro, 2 – Rasmus Hojlund, 1 – Antony, Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire, Own Goal, Joshua Zirkzee

Assists: 7 – Bruno Fernandes, 4 – Alejandro Garnacho, 3 – Amad, Christian Eriksen, Marcus Rashford, 2 – Diogo Dalot, Joshua Zirkzee, 1 – Noussair Mazraoui

Bodø/Glimt – Form, Goals Scored & Assists

Odd 2-0 W, Fredrikstad 2-2 D, Qarabag 2-1 L, Molde 3-3 D, Rosenborg 3-2 L, Braga 2-1 W

Goals: 13 – Kasper Waarst Høgh, 10 – Jens Hauge, 9 – Patrick Berg, 8 – Albert Gronbaek Erlykke, Ulrik Saltnes, 5 – Hakon Evjen, 4 – Fredrik Andre Bjørkan, Sondre Brunstad Fet, August Mikkelsen, 3 – Andreas Helmersen, Philip Zinckernagel, Nino Zugelj, 2 – Jostein Gundersen, Isak Dybvik Määttä, 1 – Odin Bjortuft, Oscar Kapskarmo, Villads Nielsen, Fredrik Sjøvold

Assists: 8 – Hakon Evjen, 7 – Ulrik Saltnes, 6 – Jens Hauge, 3 – Patrick Berg, Fredrik Andre Bjørkan, Sondre Brunstad Fet, Kasper Waarst Høgh, Philip Zinckernagel, 2 – August Mikkelsen, 1 – Jostein Gundersen, Isak Dybvik Määttä, Adam Sorensen, Sondre Sörli

Previous Meetings & Connections

United and Bodø\Glimt have never met before and this will be the first time that United have faced Norwegian opposition competitively, which is the third time United have faced new competition in the UEFA Europa League this season. Ruben Amorim will be seeking to make this first his first win at United.

As United have not yet faced Norwegian opposition in competitive matches, either at Old Trafford or away from home, it is relatively unknown territory for the club. United have already faced two firsts in the Europa League this season and will continue to do so. However, Norway is not a stranger to United.

Six Norwegian players have played for United. The most famous is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who scored the winner in the UEFA Champions League final in 1999 and managed the club from 2018 to 2021. Henning Berg, Erik Nevland, Ronny Johnsen, Magnus Wolff Eikrem and Joshua King all played for United.

Team News

United: United have seen a number of players return to fitness since Amorim took charge of the club a fortnight ago. There are still more players on the sidelines through injury, but that is likely to change in the coming days, which is a major positive for United. A fully fit squad is what every manager wants.

Ruled Out: Victor Lindelof (groin/hip/pelvic), Harry Maguire (calf/shin/heel) and Leny Yoro (ankle/foot),

Suspended: None

Close to Returning: None

Bodø/Glimt: The Norwegian side have few injury problems at this stage of the season and will be up for becoming the first Norwegian side to face United competitively. They will be the third new visitors to Old Trafford in the competition this season. It is a big week for them as they could lift their fourth Norwegian title in five years.

Ruled Out: Syver Skeide (cruciate ligament tear), Daniel Bassi (thigh), Samuel Burakovsky (unknown) and Gaute Vetti (ankle)

Suspended: None

Close to Returning: None

Predicted United Starting XI – 3-4-2-1

Onana;

Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez;

Amad, Casemiro, Ugarte, Dalot;

Fernandes, Garnacho;

Hojlund

Predicted Bodø/Glimt Starting XI – 4-3-3

Khaikin;

Sjøvold, Nielsen, Bjørtuft, Bjørkan;

Evjen, Berg, Saltnes;

Määttä, Høgh, Hauge

History, training and the lead up to the big match

United have no history against Norwegian opposition and this will be the first competitive match in a European competition, which will be the third time that has happened so far this season. United will be seeking to get their second victory in the Europa League this season, having been undefeated so far, winning one, drawing three.

Amorim will need to find the right mix for his squad to get the best of his team. Against Ipswich, United started well, scoring in around 80 seconds but soon tailed off and allowed Ipswich the time and the space to get an equaliser, and very nearly get the winner, which would have been a bast start for Amorim.

United will be welcoming many of the injured players back in the coming days, which should severely strengthen the defence, which is where the majority of the injured players were from, which will give United another dimension and could help stabilise their season, which is what is needed.

Manchester United 2-1 Bodø/Glimt

Written by Paul