Manchester United followed up their midweek Europa League win over Bodo/Glimt with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Everton
Braces from Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee saw Amorim's side past the Toffees, who threatened early on in the first half at Old Trafford but faded after that. Sean Dyche's side had a handful of chances but lacked a clinical edge up front to convert their opportunities.
On 34 minutes, Rashford opened the scoring, taking a shot from the edge of the box which was deflected into the Everton net by Jarrad Branthwaite. Then, minutes later, it was Branthwaite again at fault for the Toffees conceding to Zirkzee.
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(Image: PA)
The centre-back dawdled on the ball, with Bruno Fernandes winning it off him in the Everton half, squaring to Zirkzee who finished to make it 2-0.
Then at the beginning of the second half, United ended the contest at Old Trafford through Rashford, who fired home past Jordan Pickford after getting in behind the Everton defence thanks to a ball from Amad Diallo. Zirkzee also scored a second, tapping home from a Diallo square ball.
And here are five things Amorim will have learnt from the clash at Old Trafford...
A comfortable win
Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes impressed against Everton (Image: Getty Images)
Under Erik ten Hag, Manchester United and comfortable wins were not a combination that went well together. However, the performance against Everton was as comfortable a win as it could have been with Ruben Amorim in charge.
While there were a few moments in the opening 20 minutes that could have seen Everton take the lead, United were comfortably the better side and produced a performance they have not for quite some time. It is amazing just how quickly the mood of a football club can shift but that is what looks to be happening at United.
Marcus Rashford might be back
Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford bagged a brace against Everton (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Following the 2022/23 season, Marcus Rashford's stock was at an all-time high. The United forward bagged 30 goals in 59 appearances, and looked to have put behind him a dismal season prior where he scored just five goals.
However, last term he endured a disappointing season - which carried into this term. But the early signs so far of the Amorim tenure suggest Rashford could be getting back to his best.
He scored in their draw against Ipswich Town last weekend, and bagged a brace against Everton - the second of which was an neat finish to beat Jordan Pickford. If Amorim can coax goals out of Rashford then United will be all the better for it. The early signs are he can - but can Rashford continue to produce these consistent performances? Time will tell.
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Amad Diallo is a revelation
Amad Diallo
Amad Diallo was a threat down the right-wing for United (Image: PA)
With United having adopted a 3-4-3 system under Amorim, one early beneficiary of this change has been winger Amad Diallo. Pushed into a right wingback position, the 22-year-old was a revelation against Everton, picking up two assists, the second of which came from pressing the Toffees backline into making a mistake.
The Ivorian looks to have nailed down the right wingback position under Amorim - something which could save United millions. He offers a direct threat down the right-wing, plenty of running, and quality in the final third. And with Noussair Mazraoui operating at right centre-back to provide cover down that flank, it allows for Diallo to bomb forward too.
Joshua Zirkzee impresses
Joshua Zirkzee
Joshua Zirkzee scored for the first time since August against Everton (Image: Getty Images)
Prior to the game at Old Trafford against Everton, Joshua Zirkzee had scored just one goal in 18 games. However, against the Toffees, he bagged a brace, and looked much better than his earlier performances this term.
More importantly, he looked far more comfortable in the system under Amorim, flanked by Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford with Diallo offering threat out on the right. At Bologna, the Dutchman's best asset was his ability to drop deep and link play.
If Amorim can offer Zirkzee a platform to do that on a regular basis, it will make United's attack much more unpredictable, especially if the likes of Rashford and Diallo continue to produce good performances going forward.
A few warning signs
Jarrad Branthwaite
Jarrad Branthwaite endured a tricky afternoon against Man United (Image: Getty Images)
The win over Everton was ultimately a comfortable one. But had the Toffees had a bit more quality up front early on, United could have found themselves trailing.
Everton had multiple chances they messed up at the beginning of the first half. Had they taken one, it could have changed the context of the entire game, allowing for Sean Dyche's side to sit back and defend their lead.
As it happens, it didn't matter in the end, but there were still a few signs in the opening 20 minutes of action that showed United still have things they need to work on when it comes to controlling a game. They were deserved winners in the end, but those early moments will potentially be slightly concerning to Amorim.