The visitors from Bodø probably had to rub their eyes when Evjen and Zinckernagel turned from 0-1 to 2-1 in the first half in Manchester within a few dream minutes.
Just before half-time, Rasmus Højlund showed up with some nice details when he signed for 2-2 at Old Trafford. Shortly into the second half, the Dane completed the turnaround with a fine finish from close range.
Thus, Kjetil Knutsen’s crew had to travel home empty-handed from England despite a very strong performance against the English football giant.
– Worst possible opening
Before the minute had been played in Manchester, Glimt goalkeeper Nikita Haikin completely nailed it with the ball at his feet. The Russian was unable to clear a rebound under pressure from Rasmus Højlund, and Argentine Alejandro Garnacho ended up having a simple task by scoring 1-0 from an open goal.
– There is only one person who can take responsibility for things going completely wrong, and that is Nikita Haikin. A cruel and worst imaginable opening, unfortunately, said Viaplay expert Tor Ole Skullerud.
Just before twenty minutes had passed, Håkon Evjen bent beautifully to make it 1-1.
– It explodes in the bend next to us. What a hit he gets, Håkon Evjen! The pass from Jens Petter Hauge is brilliant, and then we wait for a shot from Brunstad Fet. Instead, he turns up, and then the shot is nicely placed, Skullerud exclaimed.
– Nightmare
A few minutes later, Philip Zinckernagel turned on the turbo on the outside on the right, and the Dane finally hammered home 2-1 to the visitors.
– Dream to nightmare for Amorim. Disappointment to euphoria for the Glimt supporters, said Viaplay commentator Kasper Wikestad.
During Amorim’s last 26 home games as Sporting manager, the Portuguese conceded more than one goal only once, writes Opta. Only twice before has an away team scored two goals at Old Trafford in the first 23 minutes. It last happened in October 2012, when Amorim was a Braga player.
Just before the break, Rasmus Højlund equalized to make it 2-2. Shortly after the change of sides, Mason Mount shot the ball over the crossbar, before Højlund made it 3-2 for the hosts a short time later. With a quarter of an hour left to play, Glimt was close to getting a great chance, but the margins were not on the visitors’ side.
Benched several profiles
Manchester United journalist Andy Mitten signed X that 6,714 Glimt supporters were present in the arena.
Kjetil Knutsen chose to place profiles such as Kasper Høgh, Ulrik Saltnes, Fredrik Sjøvold and August Mikkelsen on the bench from the start. In the second half, the Glimt boss sent in both Høgh, Sjøvold and Saltnes, but despite several dangers it did not count for points.
Next Sunday, the yellow jerseys from Bodø will try to secure league gold number four in the last five years. Knutsen’s crew take on already relegation-ready Lillestrøm at Aspmyra.
The Dutchman Tyrell Malacia was back in the Manchester United eleven on Thursday for the first time in 550 days. The left-back was taken off at half-time.
(© NTB)