Manchester United romped to a 4-0 victory over Everton at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, securing Ruben Amorim's first Premier League win in style.
Everton's promising start to the early kick-off was derailed in the final ten minutes of the first half. United were flat throughout an uninspiring opening half-hour, struggling to find a way through the visitors' obdurate rearguard while looking vulnerable themselves.
However, the Toffees were caught out at a set piece, leaving Marcus Rashford unmarked to fire off a crisp half-volley from the top of the box. Jarrad Branthwaite's attempt to block the shot only diverted it into his own net. Within seven minutes, Joshua Zirkzee had doubled United's lead, finishing off a swift forward surge after Branthwaite had been caught on the ball.
Amorim's words were still ringing in the ears of his United players when Rashford nabbed his second and the team's third of the afternoon. Everton kicked off the second half yet still conspired to concede 21 seconds after the restart, leaving themselves hopelessly exposed as Amad Diallo slipped Rashford into the box.
Zirkzee completed a brace of his own in the 64th minute, finishing another pass from an irrepressible Diallo at point-blank range.
United never won a single Premier League game by a four-goal margin throughout Erik ten Hag's two-and-a-half seasons at the helm. They lost three games by four or more goals, but Amorim achieved the reverse in just his second Premier League outing.
Joshua Zirkzee
Joshua Zirkzee was in fine form against Everton / James Gill - Danehouse/GettyImages
*Ratings provided by FotMob*
Player Rating
GK: Andre Onana 7.6/10
CB: Noussair Mazraoui 7.1/10
CB: Matthijs de Ligt 6.9/10
CB: Lisandro Martinez 7.3/10
RWB: Amad Diallo 9.1/10
CM: Casemiro 7.2/10
CM: Kobbie Mainoo 6.7/10
LWB: Diogo Dalot 7.4/10
RF: Marcus Rashford 8.8/10
LF: Bruno Fernandes 8.5/10
ST: Joshua Zirkzee 8.6/10
SUB: Harry Maguire (56' for De Ligt) 6.1/10
SUB: Luke Shaw (56' for Mazraoui) 6.4/10
SUB: Manuel Ugarte (66' for Casemiro) 6.2/10
SUB: Alejandro Garnacho (66' for Fernandes) 6.0/10
SUB: Mason Mount (80' for Mainoo) 6.2/10
Subs not used: Altay Bayindir (GK), Tyrell Malacia, Antony, Rasmus Hojlund
Casemiro, Beto
Beto struggled up front on his own / Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages
*Ratings provided by FotMob*
Player Rating
GK: Jordan Pickford 4.5/10
RB: Ashley Young 5.2/10
CB: James Tarkowski 4.7/10
CB: Jarrad Branthwaite 4.7/10
LB: Vitaliy Mykolenko 4.8/10
CM: Abdoulaye Doucoure 5.5/10
CM: Idrissa Gana Gueye 5.3/10
AM: Dwight McNeil 7.0/10
RW: Jesper Lindstrom 5.9/10
ST: Beto 5.7/10
LW: Iliman Ndiaye 6.4/10
SUB: Jack Harrison (67' for Lindstrom) 5.9/10
SUB: Orel Mangala (67' for Gueye) 6.1/10
SUB: Dominic Calver-Lewin (67' for Beto) 6.3/10
SUB: Nathan Patterson (73' for Young) 6.4/10
SUB: Jake O'Brien (82' for Tarkowski) N/A
Subs not used: Asmir Begovic (GK), Joao Virginia (GK), Seamus Coleman, Harrison Armstrong
Player of the match - Amad Diallo (Man Utd)
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