Manchester United fans were left fuming at a particular player following a critical moment that led to Bodo/Glimt’s surprising second goal at Old Trafford.
The Europa League clash initially seemed to favor United, as Rasmus Højlund capitalized on a goalkeeper’s error, and Alejandro Garnacho quickly slotted in the rebound. However, Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt turned the tide with two swift strikes from Phillip Zinckernagel.
Zinckernagel’s first goal was a remarkable curling effort from 20 yards out, leveling the match with a touch of brilliance. His second, however, laid bare United’s defensive frailties. A long ball found Zinckernagel, who outran Tyrell Malacia—starting his first game in 18 months after a knee injury—and coolly slotted past Andre Onana, putting Bodo/Glimt ahead 2-1.
While Malacia’s inability to contain Zinckernagel drew initial criticism, replays shifted the spotlight to Lisandro Martinez. Positioned at center-back, Martinez had advanced into midfield to apply pressure, abandoning his defensive post. Bodo/Glimt exploited this lapse with a quick pass to midfield, followed by a long ball that left Martinez out of the picture and forced Malacia into a challenging one-on-one situation.
Although United managed to draw level through Højlund before halftime, Martinez’s positioning became a hot topic among fans. Some questioned whether his aggressive pressing was part of manager Amorim’s tactics or a personal misstep. Others expressed frustration over what they saw as a recurring issue with Martinez being caught out of position.
– “Where is Martinez in these two goals??”
– “Everyone’s blaming Malacia, but where is Lisandro Martinez…”
– “How many times has Martinez been out of position this season? It’s unacceptable.”
– “Martinez in wide channels is a disaster. He’s not suited for Amorim’s system.”
The debate surrounding United’s defensive setup and Martinez’s role under Amorim’s strategy continues to rage, with the second goal serving as a prime example of the team’s ongoing structural issues.
