Ruben Amorim marked his first Premier League win as Manchester United manager with a resounding 4-0 victory over struggling Everton at Old Trafford. Having drawn 1-1 at Ipswich in his managerial debut last week, Amorim’s side bounced back in style, following a midweek Europa League win against Bodo/Glimt.
Though United were initially lacking control in the early stages, their clinical finishing after breaking the deadlock was enough to seal a dominant performance. Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee each scored twice to ensure an emphatic win for the Red Devils.
The game proved particularly difficult for Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, who had been the subject of transfer speculation over the summer with Manchester United reportedly interested in him. The young defender made two costly errors that contributed directly to United’s first two goals.
The opening strike came when Rashford’s low shot deflected off Branthwaite’s boot, wrong-footing goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. The second goal followed shortly after when Branthwaite hesitated in possession, allowing Amad Diallo to pounce, stealing the ball and setting up Bruno Fernandes, who laid it off for Zirkzee to tap in.
United effectively sealed the game early in the second half. Just 29 seconds after the restart, Diallo slipped a perfect pass through to Rashford, who calmly finished to make it 3-0. Zirkzee then grabbed his second of the match, finishing off Diallo’s assist on 64 minutes, to complete a comfortable 4-0 win.
With this victory, Manchester United have now beaten Everton 42 times in the Premier League, more than any other team has defeated a single opponent in the competition’s history. The win provides another boost to Amorim’s reign, and fans are beginning to take notice of the potential for success under the new manager. The Stretford End responded to Amorim’s performance with chants of “Amorim’s red army,” a sign of early support for the Portuguese coach, who remains unbeaten in his first three matches in charge.
A Bright Start for Manchester United coach Amorim at Old Trafford
Ruben Amorim’s start at Manchester United echoes his successful run at Sporting CP, where his side enjoyed a perfect home record last season. His tactics at Old Trafford have already shown promising signs, and the team’s attacking intent was evident throughout the game. Rashford, who struggled under Erik ten Hag, looked more dangerous, scoring twice and improving his form with four league goals already this season.
Joshua Zirkzee, who had faced heavy criticism from sections of the fanbase, responded to Amorim’s faith by scoring twice. His first goal came from a simple tap-in after a well-timed pass from Bruno Fernandes, while his second arrived after some excellent work from Amad Diallo.
Diallo, another player who had been sidelined under Ten Hag, delivered an impressive performance, registering two assists and working tirelessly in a right-wing-back role. His energy and creativity have made him a valuable asset under Amorim, and he could play an important role in the team’s future.
Manchester United moved up to ninth place in the Premier League with this win, and their next test will be a tough one as they travel to title-chasing Arsenal on Wednesday. Amorim’s credentials will be thoroughly tested against a top contender, and it will provide an early indicator of his potential to bring sustained success to Manchester United.
Everton’s Woes Continue as Dyche Faces Growing Pressure
For Everton, this defeat at Old Trafford was yet another blow in what is shaping up to be a challenging December. With fixtures against Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City looming, the Toffees find themselves in deep trouble. This loss adds to an already grim run, as Everton have now won just twice in the league this season.
Manager Sean Dyche is under increasing pressure as his side struggles to score goals, having netted only 10 times in the league this season. In an effort to improve his team’s attack, Dyche handed Beto his first start since April, but the Portuguese striker missed a golden opportunity early on, dragging his shot wide after rounding United goalkeeper Andre Onana.
Calvert-Lewin came off the bench to provide a brief spark, heading straight at Onana, but Everton’s attacking struggles were evident once again. The team has now gone four games without scoring in the Premier League, and they remain mired in 15th place, just two points above the relegation zone.
Everton’s record away from home is particularly concerning, with just one win in their last 18 league matches on the road. The Toffees will need to turn things around quickly, starting with a crucial home match against Wolves on Wednesday. Dyche will be hoping his side can find some form before their difficult December fixtures continue.
As the pressure mounts on the beleaguered manager, Everton’s struggles seem unlikely to end soon, and Dyche will need to find answers fast if his team is to avoid another relegation battle.
source – BBC
