Ruben Amorim enjoyed a dream home Premier League debut as Manchester United thrashed Everton 4-0 thanks to doubles from Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee on Sunday.
The Portuguese's first game in charge at Ipswich last weekend showed how much work he has ahead as United blew an early lead to draw 1-1 at Portman Road.
But they cut loose against another opponent struggling at the wrong end of the table to the delight of the home crowd as chants of Amorim's name rang around Old Trafford in the closing stages.
Ruben Amorim ball is alive at Old Trafford 🤩🍿
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) December 1, 2024
The Red Devils secure their 5th win of the season 🔥#MUNEVE | #SSPremierLeague pic.twitter.com/iGN22BI8at
The former Sporting Lisbon boss made six changes from Thursday's rollercoaster 3-2 win over Bodo/Glimt and was rewarded with a performance full of attacking verve that has been so often lacking from the Red Devils this season.
Rashford has found his form under the new boss with three goals in as many games.
The England international opened the floodgates on 34 minutes when his effort deflected in off Jarrad Branthwaite.
The Amorim effect? 👀🍿
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) December 1, 2024
Joshua Zirkzee scores for the first time since his Man Utd debut 🤩
📺 Stream #MUNEVE on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/P5UttswyOE
United had tried to sign Branthwaite during the summer transfer window, but his first half to forget continued when dispossessed by Amad Diallo before Zirkzee struck his first goal since the opening day of the season.
Having scored inside two minutes of Amorim's first two games in charge, United this time took just seconds to net from the restart for the second half.
Diallo played in Rashford, who showed impressive pace and then poise to beat Jordan Pickford.
Zirkzee had netted just once in 18 previous appearances since joining from Bologna.
The Dutchman looked a different player after the confidence boost of his first goal and rounded off the scoring after the impressive Diallo again won possession and provided the assist.
✅ 2 for Marcus Rashford
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) December 1, 2024
✅ 2 for Joshua Zirkzee
✨ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐮𝐛𝐞𝐧 𝐀𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐦 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 ✨
📺 Stream #MUNEVE on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/U6nMupzy86
A joyous atmosphere during the match was in stark contrast to protests by United fans ahead of kick-off directed towards owners Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family.
This week the club communicated a controversial mid-season decision to raise ticket prices to £66 ($84) per match without concessions for children or pensioners.
Victory lifts United up to ninth and within four points of the top four.
Much tougher challenges are to come, starting with a daunting trip to Arsenal on Wednesday.
But for a fan base starved of excitement in recent times, Amorim's home Premier League bow delivered exactly what United supporters craved.
It's all systems go for Ruben Amorim's first league home game at Old Trafford ⭐
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) December 1, 2024
📺 Stream #MUNEVE on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/roYkMGqtD7
By contrast, Everton remain just two points above the relegation zone ahead of a devilishly difficult run of fixtures over the festive period.
After the visit of Wolves to Goodison Park on Wednesday, the Toffees face Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City in their next four games.