Confirmed XI: Hojlund leads the Lins for United against Bodø/Glimt! Mount & Garnacho support the striker; Rashford, Zirkzee & Shaw on the bench

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.

Manchester United

Onana;

Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez;

Antony, Fernandes, Ugarte, Malacia;

Mount, Garnacho;

Hojlund

Substitutes

Bayindir, Heaton; Dalot, Shaw; Eriksen, Casemiro, Mainoo; Rashford, Zirkzee, Amad

Bodø/Glimt

Haikin;

Wembangomo, Gündersen, Bjørtuft, Bjørkan;

Evjen, Berg, Fet;

Zinckernagel, Helmerson, Hauge

Substitutes

Lund, Nielsen, Auklend, Høgh, Espejord, Saltnes, Moe, Sjøvold, Määttä, Sørli, Sørensen, Mikkelsen

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.

Written by Paul