Amorim delighted as Man United record biggest win of the season so far

It has been quite a while since Old Trafford saw his team win so comfortably. Just over three years in fact. The last time United won by a four-goal margin was the opening day of the 2021/22 season when Leeds went home with the tails between their legs after a 5-1 thrashing.

Everton were dealt similar treatment this afternoon, and although United occasionally struggled in the first half, goals from Rashford and Zirkzee on the stroke of half-time put them on track for a victory that both players confirmed after the break.

The two forwards, previously discreet under Ten Hag’s command, have been revived by Ruben Amorim’s arrival. The Portuguese coach praised the work of both players, and also that of Diallo, who provided two assists, in his post-match press conference.

Obviously Zirkzee and Rashford will get the headlines but what did you make of Amad Diallo’s performance? He seems to be everything you seem to want in a player...

He was really good, again. He’s in a great moment.But that moment started with Ruud, so I am just taking advantage of Ruud’s work with Amad. He was really good defending and really good attacking so he has to continue playing like that. You could see by the end of the game he was really tired, so we also have to manage that and increase his physical ability.

Are you happy with the result?

The result is good, but it wasn’t pretty, it was pragmatic. We did our job, which is to win. I feel that we still have a long way to go. We were good in the first few minutes, but then Everton controlled the game. We scored at the right moments and changed the game. We can’t just focus on the result, but on how we got that result. We still have a lot to do, but it’s easier to work after winning. Let’s focus on the performance and not so much on the result.

Were you not convinced by your team’s performance?

We don’t have a list of great performances, we have a rollercoaster of performances. We have moments when we do very well, but then there are other moments when we suffer. We win, like in the Europa League. We need time to train and improve.

Joshua Zirkzee scored twice today - do you feel you needed to lift his confidence a little since he’s been here?

First of all, I need all of the players to cope with all the games we have, so he is one of them. I just try to help my players and put them in a good position based on their characteristics. I think that today, it would have been really difficult for Rasmus to fight with Everton’s two centre-backs so we tried to push them into a position where they are no so comfortable.

And Josh did a great job - he scored two goals which is always important to build confidence. But more important than that was the performance - the way he fought in ever situation. It was a good day for him and for us.

The team has scored three goals now directly from kick-off. Is that something that you work on in training or try to instill on the guys in the dressing room?

No, we are just really, really lucky (smiles). I am really, really lucky! We just want to play well, because it’s better to start a game by scoring. But if you look at these last three games, all of the decisive moments were for us, and we have to acknowledge that.

Today, we started very well but then we lost control of the game, following the ball without any possession after 15 minutes. But then we scored... in a set-piece play. So that was key for us. Then, close to half-time, we scored again. Right at the start of the second half, we scored again so we have to acknowledge that in these last three games, we have scored goals in the right moments.

This victory is more down to the players than the coach.

You said on Friday that Rashford “has to want it”… was that what you were looking for from him today?

Yes. There are so many things that he can do. He has to continue to improve. He has the ability to do it, he’s already proved that. But he can play so much better - like the other guys, so it was a good performance, tomorrow he has to recover and start thinking about Arsenal.

Today’s win puts the team on 19 points - just our points outside the top four. Is a Champions League place what you are aiming for?

I understand that. But it’s bad for me is I say no, but I want to be honest with our fans. Let’s focus on the performance and not the results. We will see in the end. As I have said many times, I will be judged by where we finish the season. I know that, but let’s just focus on the next game.