Despite lifting the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, the Red Devils seemed to lack any sort of identity under Ten Hag’s haphazard style, finishing eighth last season, their lowest finish in the Premier League.
But Amorim’s 3-5-2 system, which brought Sporting so much success, is beginning to take shape at United, with diligent counter-pressing instilled in the system.
Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee scored twice, punishing Everton’s individual errors, while Amad Diallo was a constant thorn in the side’s side.
United have moved up to ninth in the table and are already gunning for a place in the Champions League next season – they are just four points behind Brighton in fourth place.
Amorim drew at Ipswich in their first match, defeated Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League on Thursday and picked up another win here. But Rashford, for example, does not get carried away.
“The energy and the atmosphere speak for themselves,” Rashford told BBC Match of the Day. “It’s up to the players to create this in the stadium, but the fans today… that’s what we want to hear: nothing but positivity and pushing the fans forward.”
“He [Ruben Amorim] It’s definitely demanding, but you’re encouraged to bring your strengths to the game. That’s when you get really good team performance.
“Hopefully we can take advantage of this and keep pushing. It’s nothing to get too excited about. We have to keep pushing every day to meet their demands.”
This was the first of nine games in an arduous December for Amorim and United and with limited time on the training ground during this period, their skills will be tested with trips to Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham in the coming days.
