Manchester United thumped Everton 4-0 to hand new boss Ruben Amorim his first win in the Premier League, but not everyone was impressed with the Red Devils' performance
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 1: Ruben Amorim the head coach / manager of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Everton FC at Old Trafford on December 1, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Ruben Amorim has been warned his Manchester United side were 'very average' against Everton
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Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
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Manchester United's performance against Everton has been branded 'very average' despite the Red Devils thumping the Toffees 4-0.
It was a first Premier League win for Ruben Amorim, who took over as United boss over the recent international break. Marcus Rashford opened the scoring just after the half-hour mark, with his low strike deflecting in off Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite.
Four minutes before half-time, Joshua Zirkzee doubled the hosts' lead when Branthwaite was caught dawdling on the ball by Amad. Rashford added his second just 20 seconds into the second period when he latched onto Amad's pass.
Zirkzee wrapped up the win when he coolly slotted in United's fourth on 64 minutes. But former Premier League star Dean Ashton was not as impressed with the performance of Amorim's side as the scoreline suggested he should be.
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"I didn’t think Manchester United were very good at all. 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," he told Sky Sports.
"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. 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."
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Marcus Rashford scored twice to fire United to their win over Everton
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Image:
Manchester United via Getty Imag)
The win moved United into ninth place in the Premier League table, with a huge clash against Arsenal ahead on Wednesday. Like Ashton, Amorim was not impressed with his side and insisted they had to improve.
"It was far from a perfect performance. We have to improve, you can feel that in the game. After 15 minutes, Everton controlled the game and it was difficult for us and we were losing the second balls," he told Match of the Day.
"I felt that the players could solve some problems that we had as a team because of the quality that they have, but it was far from a perfect performance. But it was a really good result and a tough match.
"It helps to have a new face, it always helps. We have to be very clear to our fans and this will always help. Rather than trying to convince the fans about this performance, [it is better to say] we have a lot to do, it will take time.
"Sometimes we are not playing well but everyone defended together. Our fans just ask for hard work and then, in time, they will ask for better football."
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