Manchester United’s need to climb up the Europa League table almost feels secondary to needing to get a win in Ruben Amorim’s first home match.
New Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has swapped the Champions League with Sporting, for the Europa League with the Red Devils.
It is a long way off, but if United can go on and win the competition, the reward is immediate entry into the 2025/26 Champions League.
United currently rank 15th out of 32 teams, with the top 24 qualifying for the knockout rounds. If United can finish inside the top eight, they would bypass one two-legged clash, when teams 9-24 take each other one in February.
United host Bodo/Glimt
Manchester United have had two home matches, drawing with FC Twente and winning at home to PAOK.
Bodo/Glimt are the opponents, stepping into the Theatre of Dreams for Ruben Amorim’s first home game since taking over.
The Norwegian side are tricky opponents, beating Porto earlier in the campaign, and they rank 12th, with two wins, a draw, and a defeat.
Back in 2021, Bodo/Glimt demolished Jose Mourinho’s Roma 6-1, demonstrating their fearlessness and capability of springing a surprise.
Ruben Amorim will hold his press conference ahead of the game at 1pm on Wednesday November 26.
Bodo/Glimt have another priority
For Manchester United, the timing of the game is a lot better than it is for Bodo/Glimt, who are one match away from winning the Norwegian league title.
The Eliteserien final game takes place this coming weekend. Bodo/Glimt have a one point lead, just needing to beat relegation battlers Lillestrom. Any slip up, and Brann will be ready to take advantage.
This has Bodo/Glimt manager Kjetil Knutsen agonising over selection decisions, working out whether to leave anybody out, limit their minutes against Manchester United, with a view to Sunday’s title decider.
He told VG: “It depends on individual players, playing time and lots of tactical things
“That match [against United] must live, but it also lives with a result which means that you have to make decisions along the way with a view to what comes afterwards.
“There will be an enormous number of different scenarios that you have to think through.”
Playing against United is a dream for many of these players, and they cannot allow their focus to slip. If there is a choice, then the clear preference is to win at the weekend.
The timing plays right into Ruben Amorim’s hands. Any distraction for an opponent only serves to help the Portuguese head coach.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
