Manchester United FC v Everton FC - Premier League
Manchester United thumped Everton 4-0 at Old Trafford (Picture: Getty)
Manchester United were branded ‘very average’ after their 4-0 victory over Everton.
Ruben Amorim secured his first Premier League win since replacing Erik ten Hag as United thumped Everton at Old Trafford.
Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee both scored two goals to send Manchester United into the top-half of the Premier League, suddenly just four points outside the Champions League places.
Despite putting struggling Everton to the sword, United’s performance against Sean Dyche’s side was branded ‘very average’ by former Premier League striker Dean Ashton.
‘I didn’t think Manchester United were very good at all,’ Ashton, who played one game for England, said on Sky Sports.
‘Once they got those two goals in the first half they looked a lot more comfortable in possession and were able to get through Everton a bit better.
‘There were moments on the counter-attack when they looked electric and that’s because they’ve got players that are very good at that.
Former Premier League striker Dean Ashton (Picture: Sky Sports)
‘But the stats highlight what the game was like. United had an XG of 0.78 yet they’ve won 4-0. There was hardly anything between the teams looking at the XG.
‘That will give them confidence and maybe gloss over what was actually a very average performance from Manchester United.
‘I was actually impressed with Everton, yet it’s 4-0 and a real worry with the games they’ve got coming up.’
Manchester United FC v Everton FC - Premier League
Ruben Amorim after United’s victory over Everton (Picture: Getty)
Rashford endured a miserable 2023-24 campaign and started this season slowly but now has three goals in his last two games.
Discussing Rashford’s revival, Ashton added: ‘When Rashford is comfortable and happy he will always be one of the best players in the Premier League and will always look threatening.
‘I think it’s more about his attitude off the ball which was better again today.
Manchester United FC v Everton FC - Premier League
Marcus Rashford scored twice at Old Trafford (Picture: Getty)
‘He looks more engaged than he did under Erik ten Hag and that is important for the new manager.’
While Manchester United move into the top-half of the Premier League, Everton remain 15th, just two points above the relegation zone.
The Toffees have won just two of their 13 league games so far this season and failed to score in their last four games.
‘They’ve got a tough run coming up,’ Ashton said of Everton, who face Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City over the next month.
‘Sean Dyche will probably think they actually played alright today. He’s got to find a way for Everton to be threatening otherwise the defence will always be under severe pressure.
‘They need to be better in the forward positions. It’s got to be a massive worry for Everton fans.’
Manchester United face in-form Arsenal next while Everton welcome Wolves to Goodison Park.
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