Manchester United will look to continue the unbeaten start to the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League campaign when they welcome Bodo/Glimt to Old Trafford on Thursday.
The 2024/25 UEFA Europa League resumes this week with Matchday 5 of the first phase. The day will present us with several eye-catching fixtures, including Manchester United vs Bodo/Glimt, with the two sides separated by only one point.
Manchester United might be unbeaten thus far in the UEFA Europa League this season, but they would have hoped for a better start to their European campaign. The Red Devils played out three stalemates to kick-start their campaign before beating PAOK 2-0 on Matchday 4. Meanwhile, they have been unbeaten since parting ways with Erik ten Hag, although Ruben Amorim’s first game in charge ended in a frustrating 1-1 draw.
On the other hand, Bodo/Glimt might be in contention to reach the next round after amassing seven points in four games thus far. The 2023 Norwegian champions have lost only one game in Europe thus far, although that result came on Matchday 4. Since that defeat, Kjetil Knutsen’s men have been unbeaten in two outings, beating Odds BK this past weekend.
Thursday’s match will be the first-ever clash featuring Manchester United and Bodo/Glimt. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the maiden meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Manchester United
Ruben Amorim does not have any new injury concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. The Manchester United manager will be bereft of the services of four first-team players vs Bodo/Glimt on Thursday.
The central midfield unit remains in crisis mode, with Lisandro Martinez (back), Harry Maguire (calf), Leny Yoro (foot), and Victor Lindelof (toe) still on the sidelines. However, Luke Shaw should finally make his first start of the 2024/25 season.
Shaw will start as the left wing-back, with Diogo Dalot moving to the right flank. Andre Onana will retain his spot between the sticks, with Manchester United lining up in a 3-4-3 formation in front of him vs Bodo/Glimt. The central defensive unit should feature Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt, and Jonny Evans.
As for the midfield unit, Casemiro should return to the starting eleven, pairing up with Christian Eriksen in the central areas. Finally, Rasmus Hojlund will lead the line for Manchester United against Bodo/Glimt, with Bruno Fernandes and Antony completing the numbers in the offensive trifecta.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Onana; Mazraoui, de Ligt, Evans; Dalot, Casemiro, Eriksen, Shaw; Antony, Hojlund, Bruno Fernandes
Bodo/Glimt
Like his counterpart in the Manchester United dugout, Kjetil Knutsen does not have any new issues to worry about ahead of the trip to Old Trafford. The Bodo/Glimt manager will be without four first-team players on Thursday.
Unlike Manchester United, the visitors have an issue in the midfield unit, with Samuel Burakovsky (groin), Daniel Bassi (unspecified), Gaute Vetti (knock), and Syver Skeide (knee) on the sidelines for some more time.
Nikita Haikin will take his spot between the sticks, with Bodo/Glimt lining up in a 4-3-3 formation in front of him vs Manchester United on Thursday. The backline should feature Fredrik Sjovold, Villads Nielsen, Odin Bjortuft, and Fredrik Bjorkan.
As for the midfield unit, captain Patrick Berg will sit at the base, looking to keep things tight in the middle of the park. Hakon Evjen and Ulrik Saltnes will accompany Berg in the central areas and provide the forward thrust. Finally, Kasper Hogh will spearhead the Bodo/Glimt attack against Manchester United, with Jens Petter Hauge and Philip Zinckernagel being the two wide attackers.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Haikin; Sjovold, Nielsen, Bjortuft, Bjorkan; Evjen, Berg, Saltnes; Zinckernagel, Hogh, Hauge
Key Stats
- Thursday’s match will be Manchester United’s first-ever match vs Bodo/Glimt or any Norwegian opponents in all European competition.
- Bodo/Glimt’s only previous meetings with English opponents came in the 2022/23 UEFA Europa League, losing 3-0 away and 1-0 at home to Arsenal.
- Manchester United lost their first two home games in the UEFA Europa League, losing to Frank de Boer’s Ajax and Marcelo Bielsa’s Athletic Club in 2011/12. Since then, they have faced a defeat in just one of 26 outings at Old Trafford in the competition (W19 D6).
- Bruno Fernandes has been involved in 11 goals in 13 UEFA Europa League appearances at Old Trafford for Manchester United, scoring four goals and assisting seven.
- Patrick Berg has made the most tackles (22) and most interceptions (12) in the UEFA Europa League this season. Berg made nine tackles and four interceptions against Qarabag on Matchday 4, the first player to post both numbers in a single Europa League game since Diego Laxalt in October 2020 for Celtic vs Lille.
Player to Watch
Rasmus Hojlund
Marcus Rashford started as the central striker for Manchester United against Ipswich Town this past weekend. In addition, the English international laid down the marker with an early strike that essentially earned the Red Devils a point. However, that also suggested that Rasmus Hojlund has an uphill task to become the undisputed first-choice striker.
Hojlund’s ability and potential suggest he can be the Viktor Gyokeres equivalent at Manchester United. However, the Dane must take advantage of his opportunities to earn that moniker, starting with the game against Bodo/Glimt on Thursday.
Prediction
Manchester United 2-1 Bodo/Glimt
Manchester United’s frustrating draw against Ipswich Town this past weekend suggests Ruben Amorim has much to do ahead of the game vs Bodo/Glimt on Thursday. However, the Red Devils have an incredible record at home in the UEFA Europa League, losing only once in their last 26 outings at Old Trafford.
While Bodo/Glimt will give the hosts a run for their money, they might not have enough quality to topple the home side or earn a draw. Ultimately, Bruno Fernandes should make his mark and earn his team a 2-1 draw, with Rasmus Hojlund also finding the back of the net.
