Bodø/Glimt Impresses at Old Trafford Despite Narrow Loss to Manchester United

Despite the loss, the Norwegian side earned widespread admiration for their fearless approach and tactical brilliance against one of Europe’s elite clubs.

Match Highlights

The game started dramatically with United taking the lead just 52 seconds in due to a goalkeeping error by Nikita Haikin. However, Bodø/Glimt displayed their characteristic boldness, with Håkon Evjen equalizing to make it 1-1 after just 15 minutes.

Shortly after, captain Patrick Berg delivered a stunning long pass to Philip Zinckernagel, whose pace outmatched Tyrell Malacia, giving the visitors a 2-1 lead. Yet, United capitalized on Bodø/Glimt’s high-risk approach, equalizing seconds before halftime to make it 2-2.

The second half saw United’s Casemiro and goalkeeper Andre Onana make crucial defensive interventions to preserve their narrow lead, culminating in a tense finish where Bodø/Glimt came close to equalizing with a late free kick.

Praise for Bodø/Glimt’s Bold Approach

Bodø/Glimt’s tactical approach and confidence drew praise across Europe. Manchester Evening News commended their adventurous play, calling the team one of the biggest success stories in European football.

United manager Ruben Amorim lauded the visitors’ quality, describing them as difficult all the time and full of quality players.

The Norwegian club’s style under Kjetil Knutsen has become a hallmark of their success, combining a high-risk strategy with exceptional teamwork. Despite the loss, the match reaffirmed their ability to challenge Europe’s top teams.

Looking Ahead

Currently ranked 17th out of 36 teams in the Europa League standings, Bodø/Glimt remains well-positioned to advance. With two home matches remaining — against Besiktas and Maccabi Tel Aviv — their prospects of progressing to the knockout stages look promising.

The club continues to demonstrate how strong tactical execution and belief in their style can overcome significant financial and structural disparities in European football.