Two goals each for Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee secured a thumping 4-0 Premier League victory for Manchester United over Everton on Sunday afternoon.
Ruben Amorim’s new-look outfit scored twice in the closing stages of a first half in which Everton had been the better side for large swathes. Rashford fired in his second within half a minute of the restart before Zirkzee applied an exclamation point to proceedings.
The Red Devils’ largest Premier League win in more than three years saw them climb up to ninth in the table. Everton, who lost all their fizz after the first goal, are just two points above the relegation zone.
How the match unfolded
Rashford broke the deadlock in the 34th-minute from a corner. In a move inspired by Paul Scholes’ famous volley against Bradford at the turn of century, Bruno Fernandes played the role of David Beckham, fizzing a delivering to his teammate waiting on the edge of the box. Rashford did well to control a half-volley towards the bottom corner before Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite inadvertently stabbed the ball beyond Jordan Pickford.
Branthwaite’s afternoon soon worsened as he was caught dawdling in possession by Amad Diallo on the cusp of half-time. Bruno Fernandes gobbled up the loose ball and squared for Zirkzee to slide into an open goal.
United needed just 21 seconds to make it 3-0 in the second half and effectively end Sunday’s contest. Everton‘s minds were still in the dressing room by the time Amad slotted a reverse pass into Rashford’s stride, teeing the forward up for a crisp first-time finish straight through Pickford.
In a near carbon copy of his first goal, Zirkzee benefitted from another piece of excellent pressing from Amad to double his personal tally in the 64th minute.
United ended the game with each pass serenaded by a burst of “ole!” but Amorim conceded that it was “far from a perfect performance”. However, several United players enjoyed their best afternoon of the season.
It felt poignant that Amorim should hand Zirkzee his first Premier League start in more than two months this weekend. The summer arrival’s future has been the subject of intense scrutiny of late. A recent report even claimed that the burly forward wants to move back to Serie A, reuniting with his Bologna coach Thiago Motta at Juventus.
Zirkzee’s United career has stalled since he netted a late winner on his debut against Fulham back in the hazy days of August. Erik ten Hag and Ruud van Nistelrooy both routinely overlooked the unorthodox forward and he offered little during his second-half cameo on Amorim’s maiden trip to Ipswich.
Nominally lining up as the central member of United’s front three, Zirkzee was willing to float around in a fluid setup with Rashford and Fernandes. However, the 23-year-old was in the right place at the right time to tap in both of his goals.
Zirkzee has always been more of a provider than a poacher and showed his innate playmaking quality with a lovely ball around the corner in the build-up to Rashford’s second-half strike. After watching from the bench as Rasmus Hojlund scored twice against Bodo/Glimt in midweek, Zirzkee staked his claim for a starting berth at United.
Even at a time of detailed data analysis, in-depth interviews and psychological evaluation, playing well at the home of a suitor can be the biggest factor in a Premier League transfer.
United tracked Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite throughout the summer, tabling multiple offers which were rebuffed by a club desperate to keep hold of their prodigious centre-back. The England international delivered a display which didn’t create any sense of regret among United’s recruitment department.
Branthwaite did well to escape an own goal but should be credited with an assist for United’s second after he was robbed of possession on the edge of his own box.
The hulking 4-0 scoreline will understandably overshadow United’s plodding opening half-hour. Yet, even during this slow start to proceedings, Amad offered his side’s clearest attacking avenue.
Hugging the right-hand touchline, the converted winger was always available for raking switches of play, teasing apart of the stitching of Everton’s compact shape. When the subtle approach failed to work, Amad took it upon himself to charge straight at his opponents.
The diminutive winger robbed both of Everton’s centre-back in the buildup to each Zirkzee goal. “He is really big in talent, but small in size,” Amorim grinned post-game.
In the space of two second-half minutes, Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez were both shown yellow cards. Each combative individual had already picked up four bookings this season, thereby earning a suspension for United’s next Premier League fixture, which just so happens to be a daunting trip to Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners are back to their best. Fresh from three straight victories, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard have been in rampant form, helping Mikel Arteta’s side rack up 13 goals in the space of a week.
Amorim has some midfield options to mull over in Mainoo’s absence, but Martinez’s suspension causes more headaches. Luke Shaw hasn’t started a club game since February while Jonny Evans missed Sunday’s fixture through injury.
