Rasmus Hojlund scored twice as Manchester United came from behind to beat Bodo/Glimt 3-2 in the Europa League, a game that will give new manager Ruben Amorim mixed feelings.
Much of the optimism will be centred on Hojlund, who scored two fine goals. Amorim says there were concerns in the build-up that United - one of the Premier League's lowest scorers this season - would struggle against Bodo/Glimt, so if Hojlund can start scoring regularly, it will certainly make the coming weeks and months much smoother for Amorim.
Amorim could also help Hojlund start to live up to the huge £72m fee the Red Devils paid for Atalanta, with repeated questions being asked under Erik ten Hag about whether the Dane's style would suit United.
In the win over Bodo/Glimt, Hojlund benefited twice from passes into the box, first from Noussair Mazraoui and second from Manuel Ugarte. It was the kind of pass Hojlund craved but rarely received under Ten Hag.
"I think Hojlund has improved his connection within the team. He has to improve a lot because sometimes he touches the ball too much when he holds it. But he is very important for us because he is the one who holds the ball and connects to convert. Hojlund does that very well. He has that characteristic" - Amorim said of Hojlund.
Amorim said he could feel United's progress after their first game against Ipswich Town. And he also used the word "special" to describe the way United fans welcomed him at Old Trafford.
It feels like a new beginning is beginning at Old Trafford, but some old problems still haunt.
In the final 18 months of Ten Hag's reign, United conceded two goals in four minutes against Bayern Munich, two in 10 minutes against Galatasaray, two in four minutes against Copenhagen, two in nine minutes against Galatasaray again and two in seven minutes against Porto.
This is becoming a hard habit to break and in Amorim’s first game in Europe, Man United let Bodo/Glimt score twice in four minutes. On the sidelines, Amorim kept shouting and giving instructions but eventually became frustrated when things didn’t go according to plan.
In his first press conference since taking the job, Amorim said Man United players lost the ball too much. The Portuguese tactician hopes that these mistakes will become less and less. However, that is only part of the problem.
After the win over Bodo/Glimt, the "Red Devils" will have a day to rest and recover to prepare for the confrontation with Everton in the Premier League. Amorim needs time, but the tight schedule will not allow it.
"I come from Portugal and half the stadium doesn't know me. I haven't done anything for this club yet but the way they supported me from the start makes me feel like I'm not alone anymore. I'm one of them and I hope I don't let them down," Amorim said.
