Rashford and Zirkzee double up as Manchester United dismantle Everton | first division

“Ruben Amorim, Ruben Amorim, nananaanananaaa” chanted the jubilant manchester united The fans followed Joshua Zirkzee's impressive second goal. Sung to the tune of Give It Up by KC and the Sunshine Band, this was the last thing the new coach's players did: not look for any apparent lost causes in case gold could be mined.

That's how Zirkzee scored United's fourth. Substitute Luke Shaw headed in from deep inside his area. The ball reached Amad Diallo, who rolled it down the right wing into space. Marcus Rashford thundered and failed to connect but, when the ball passed to James Tarkowski, Diallo was harassing. The Everton captain dallied, the right-back stole possession, ran forward, squared left towards the United centre-forward and he charged.

Amorim previously explained why, after parachuting in with 11 first division After the season's matches, United are instantly playing their 3-4-3. “That would only postpone our problems,” the new manager said, implying that any short-term suffering would allow for a traffic jam tomorrow.

On Sunday there was only joy. Rashford also scored twice and, although United were not perfect, Amorim's unit was energetic and, equally vitally, prepared for what their new manager demands.

The best coaches always improve their players and Zirkzee can become proof A of the Portuguese's intelligence if this performance is repeated weekly. The Dutchman's budding United career had already been questioned, but Sunday's offering showed excellent receiving technique and bravery despite knowing a cut ankle was always on the way.

If Amorim's three games in charge have adapted him to his task on the field, the Fans protest against the club's increase in ticket prices. – up to a minimum of £66 for a child or adult – offers the same for the endless surrounding subplots of soap opera United. Held before kick-off at the Trinity statue, fans' ire was directed at Sir Jim Ratcliffe, responsible for the skyrocketing rise, as a junior ticket cost £25.

They urged the minority owner to “sell United and go to hell” and informed him “we want our club back.” This was the polar opposite of the affection directed at Amorim as he oversaw what was a succession of opportunities from the first shot to the last.

Kobbie Mainoo, one of the six substitutions, let Pickford fly. Zirkzee, who also started for the first time for Amorim, stepped back to make a sharp move and fired the ball wide. Suddenly United were close to the Toffees area and we saw how Amorim-ball is designed to do damage.

Everton were stuck in the middle third as the red shirts huddled, cut the ball and launched another raid. This was the pattern when Bruno Fernandes received from the left and launched a pass with the outside of his right boot. In came Rashford, whose attempt to attack Pickford failed.

Matthijs de Ligt did the same to stop the speedy Beto when he caught a pass from Dwight McNeil. The centre-back then moved on, became a nuisance when the number 9 tried to round his goalkeeper, André Onana, and United broke away.

Everton did not do so when Fernandes took a corner kick. As routine on the training pitch, the ball floated towards a running Rashford, whose half-volley appeared towards the goalkeeper before Jarrad Branthwaite stuck out a leg and deflected it past Pickford.

Zirkzee's second goal for the club was the product of what could be called the “Amorim press” – Branthwaite, again, the scapegoat. This time he hesitated, Diallo pounced on him, grabbed the ball, Fernandes took charge and, entering the Everton area, fed Zirkzee: the 1.90 meter striker stepped forward to finish with his left foot.

The same urgency was evident in United's third goal of the second half. The ball passed to Pickford, who jumped upfield and Amorim's men took over. Zirkzee picked up, turned and passed to Diallo, who stepped forward and fed the overlapping Rashford: an instant strike beat Pickford and that was the number 10's first double in United colors since February 2023.

Afterwards, Fernandes, one of Amorim's five substitutes, sat with an ice pack on his left foot. A concern for the captain and United, but the bigger picture is that this was a good day for the Amorim project – a dominant victory in the 39-year-old's first home league game.