Amorim will have sleepless nights ahead of Arsenal test, two influential stars ruled out, another a doubt
Manchester United thrashed Everton 4-0 on Sunday as Ruben Amorim picked up his first Premier League win at Old Trafford since taking over.
Joshua Zirkzee and Marcus Rashford, both linked with January exits after a poor start to the campaign, grabbed a brace apiece as the Red Devils showed intensity on the pitch, something that will please the Portuguese.
The team have not lost since Erik ten Hag’s sacking and have picked up back-to-back wins under the new boss and are building up a head of steam ahead of their crucial clash against Arsenal in midweek.
Despite the impressive win, Amorim will have sleepless nights ahead of Wednesday’s game as he will be without two influential stars while the participation of the club captain remains a major doubt.
Lisandro, Mainoo out
Lisandro Martinez once again started on the left side of the defence but will miss the game against the Gunners after picking up his fifth yellow card of the campaign.
Amorim has avoided putting too much pressure on the injury-prone Luke Shaw recently but will need the England international to step up at the Emirates as he is likely to start in the absence of any other left-footed centre-back.
Kobbie Mainoo, who made his long-awaited return from injury against the Toffees, also saw his fifth yellow card of the season on Sunday and will miss the game.
Bruno Fernandes’ ankle is wrapped in ice. 😬🧊 pic.twitter.com/8UhyaqVkub
— Football Xtra™ (@FootballXtra0) December 1, 2024
The academy graduate was unlikely to start against Mikel Arteta’s team anyway given his fitness, but he will not make the matchday squad now.
The ex-Sporting Lisbon boss has not been afraid of rotating his squad for every game with Manuel Ugarte likely to play from the start against the team from North London. It will be interesting to see who his partner will be come Wednesday.
Bruno a doubt
In worse news, Bruno Fernandes, who grabbed two assists against Everton, was subbed off after 65 minutes but was spotted icing his ankle while sitting in the dugout.
That might indicate a knock and Amorim will be praying that the captain can make it for the game. The Portugal international has certainly returned to form in recent weeks and he has seven goal involvements in as many games.
Amorim will need all the help he can get if the club are to claim a famous win in London with Arsenal second in the table, six points ahead of the 20-time English league champions.
A win could truly kickstart Amorim’s reign and such is the confidence among supporters that despite the absentees, fans are excited to see what the head coach will cook up for the tasty encounter.
Feature image Gareth Copley via Getty Images
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
“Sources can reveal…”: Ten Hag recruit who earned Amorim’s praise could be brutally axed in January – report
Ruben Amorim picked up his first Premier League win at Old Trafford as Manchester United thrashed Everton 4-0 on Sunday.
The head coach’s demands for intensity was met by the players as they pressed relentlessly at times and Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee grabbed a brace each as the Red Devils climbed up to ninth in the table.
The Portuguese tactician was once again unafraid to rotate his squad and made six changes with Diogo Dalot starting on the left side after Tyrell Malacia’s error-strewn display in the Europa League last week.
The Dutch full-back was at fault for Bodo/Glimt’s second on the night and a rusty performance was expected considering the major injury lay-off.
Malacia could be on his way
Amorim praised him after the game regardless, but the Portugal international was chosen ahead of him against the Toffees and he completed the full 90 minutes.
The ex-Sporting Lisbon boss will be careful with Malacia moving forward to avoid further complications regarding his fitness as he clearly needs more time to slowly get back into the groove of things.
Whether he will get that time at Old Trafford remains to be seen with CaughtOffside claiming the former Feyenoord star is attracting interest from Borussia Dortmund and Lyon.
Amorim does not have the luxury of time and the chance to offload a reserve player and get in reinforcements in January will be music to the coach’s ears.
“CaughtOffside sources can reveal that Manchester United left-back Tyrell Malacia is attracting some transfer interest from Borussia Dortmund and Lyon.
“After such a lengthy spell out, it’s going to be tricky for Malacia to get back to his best, and so it could be that MUFC need to make the most of any opportunities to sell.
“If big names like Dortmund and Lyon are keeping an eye on the Dutchman’s situation, that could help United cash in on him and sign the replacement they want.”
Dortmund, Lyon in the race
The 25-year-old had become Erik ten Hag’s first signing and enjoyed a decent debut campaign. But injuries meant he has played only once in one-and-a-half season since.
The 20-time English champions had paid €15 million for him back in 2022 and his current market value stands at €18 million as per Transfermarkt with his contract valid until 2026.
Owing to his age and potential and his impressive record at his former club, INEOS should try and earn a small profit on his eventual departure while the club would also get his £75,000 per week wages off the books.
United have been linked with various left-backs recently after Amorim demanded an improvement in that sector and Malacia’s sale could potentially fund a January arrival to please the boss.
Feature image Gareth Copley via Getty Images
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
4 shots, 1 key pass, 5 touches inside the box: United star enjoying new role, impressive on and off the ball vs Everton
Manchester United clinically dispatched Everton 4-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday to mark Ruben Amorim’s first Premier League home game with a win.
The Red Devils are now up to ninth in the table, just four points off fourth and back-to-back wins will give the players a lot of confidence ahead of the tough test against Arsenal next.
Goals have been a problem for the hosts this season and before this game, they were the third lowest scorers in the division with Amorim asked questions about the same.
The players answered in style against the Toffees with both Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee netting a brace apiece with the United academy graduate impressing both on and off the ball for a change.
Rashford back among the goals
The Mancunian now has three goals under Amorim, and he is beginning to show signs of enjoying this new role. That showed in his second of the game, with Amad Diallo sliding a ball into him inside the box, which he duly dispatched.
He was playing further away from goal under Erik ten Hag, something Amorim has remedied immediately. Rashford had scored only once in the league under the the Dutchman.
Marcus Rashford’s game by numbers vs. Everton:
78% pass accuracy
28 total touches
5 touches in the box
4 shots
2 defensive actions
2 crosses
3 shots
2 goalsBack on the scoresheet. 👏 pic.twitter.com/l0jDc4bGc6
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) December 1, 2024
And while staying upfront might not suit him, he is beginning to understand the role much better. He had 28 touches of the ball (stats via sofascore) but more importantly, five of those were in the box where he can truly be dangerous.
The Englishman’s first was a smart side-footed volley from a corner that was creeping in but took a nasty deflection off Jarrad Branthwaite to completely fool Jordan Pickford in the Everton goal in the end.
Off the ball work impressive
The confidence was showing as he took four shots throughout the game with both his efforts on target leading to a goal. The England international also made one key pass.
The Portuguese tactician had demanded intensity from his players and Rashford certainly obliged with the 27-year-old seen pressing even after the scoreline read 4-0 to the hosts.
He made two defensive actions, winning a ground duel and making a tackle and his effort will have pleased the boss who kept him on for the full 90 minutes, not a common sight in the recent past.
Now he needs to keep his head down and keep working hard. Critics have been vociferous but he can do his answering on the pitch under a new coach whose idea is starting to take shape quite beautifully.
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
Roy Keane caught in crossfire as Mohamed Salah’s responds to Jamie Carragher row
Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah offered a little response back to Jamie Carragher during a live Sky Sports interview after helping his side to a 2-0 victory over Manchester City…only for Carragher to turn it into a jab of his own at Roy Keane’s expense.
Carragher had criticised Salah earlier in the week for speaking out about his contract situation at Liverpool, with Salah saying he was yet to be presented with a new deal to sign.
The former Reds defender had said on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football: “I must say I am very disappointed with Mo Salah. Liverpool have Real Madrid midweek and Man City at the weekend. That’s the story right now.”
Carragher added: “If he keeps putting comments out, his agent puts out cryptic messages, that is selfish. That is thinking about themselves and not the football club.”
READ: Liverpool stick one finger up at Pep Guardiola’s six as Manchester City humbled again
Salah was awarded the man of the match for his performance against City on Sunday afternoon, however, with the Egyptian setting up Cody Gakpo’s early opener and then putting the result beyond doubt with a perfectly-placed penalty in the second half.
Virgil van Dijk was alongside Salah for the post-match interview, and after insisting it should go to Salah, the Liverpool skipper asked who had selected his teammate as the man of the match, having being told there was some debate as to which of the two of them should take it.
After being told it had been awarded by Gary Neville, Van Dijk turned to Salah and said: “OK, well done, congratulations. I’m surprised Carragher didn’t give it to you.”
Salah responded “Oh, he wouldn’t give it to me,” before breaking into a smile.
Upon Sky throwing back to the studio, Carragher immediately deflected the attention onto fellow pundit Keane by saying “I’ll see him in the car park!”
That drew an embarrassed silent smile from the former Manchester United midfielder, who last week was caught on camera telling a belligerent Ipswich fan: “Wait in the car park, we can have a discussion. I’ll wait for you in the car park.”
Just lovely #banter all round.
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2 shots, 2 goals, 87% passing: Struggling United star silences his critics with blockbuster performance in 4-0 win over Everton
Manchester United were back to their best on Sunday afternoon, thumping Everton 4-0 in an absolutely dominant performance.
In what was Ruben Amorim’s first home game in the Premier League as Man United manager, his team were all over the visitors, camping in their half with 60% possession and 11 shots on goal.
While it was an inspired team effort, Joshua Zirkzee proved to be the standout player of the match, producing an effective performance as a striker for arguably the first time this season.
Four minutes before the half-time break, with United already a goal up, it was Zirkzee who doubled the home side’s lead. Noticing that Amad Diallo had broken through Everton’s defensive lines, Zirkzee did well to surge forward and get on the end of Bruno Fernandes’ subsequent pass to score.
In the 64th minute, Zirkzee struck again. This time, he received a through ball from Amad, who managed to intercept the ball from Everton near the halfway line. The Dutch striker kept calm and composed to slot the ball coolly past Jordan Pickford for his second goal of the afternoon.
Overall, Zirkzee was absolutely clinical in front of goal, taking just two shots, both of which were on target. While he attempted one unsuccessful dribble, it was clear that he was focused on being an effective target man.
Still, just because Zirkzee was focused on proving his striker ability didn’t mean that he wasn’t looking to examine some midfield creativity as well.
Zirkzee took 45 touches throughout the match, proving to be far more involved in the build-up play than he typically would be.
He completed 27 of his 31 passes for an impressive 87% passing accuracy.
The striker failed to complete his only long ball; however, he more than made up for this with two key passes, either of which could have resulted in a goal.
The only area of play where Zirkzee’s performance was lacking was in physicality. He only won one of his eight ground duels, along with one of his three aerial battles.
Still, it was an impressive showing overall from a forward who previously struggled to get shots on target, let alone find the back of the net.
While this is the first truly standout performance from Zirkzee this season, it appears as if Amorim may have begun the process of boosting the striker’s confidence and unlocking his potential, meaning exciting times may lie ahead.
(Stats via Sofascore)
Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images
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Mathew Cohen
A faithful Manchester United supporter, Mathew has worked as a football writer and analyst for SB Nation, FanSided, and now The Peoples Person. Mathew’s heroes include David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Sir Alex Ferguson, all of whom played their part in creating some special childhood memories.
“We need to manage that”: Amorim reveals key thing Amad Diallo needs to do to become truly unstoppable
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has emphasised the need to manage Amad Diallo’s workload and physical demands, in order to ensure he remains fresh and becomes unstoppable.
Amorim spoke to reporters after United’s 4-0 victory over Everton.
Joshua Zirkzee and Marcus Rashford scored two goals apiece to power United to the top half of the Premier League table. United are currently in ninth position, with 19 points gained from a possible 39.
While he didn’t get on the score sheet, Amad was equally impactful and was rightly named the man of the match.
In addition to the two second-half assists he managed, the Ivorian won 11 of the 14 ground duels he delved into and completed all the four dribbles he embarked on.
He could have also had a penalty late on when it seemed like he was brought down inside the box but the referee waved to play on.
When asked about the 22-year-old forward, Amorim said, “He was really good again. He’s in a great moment but that moment started with Ruud [van Nistelrooy], so I just take advantage of his work with Amad. He was really good defending and really good attacking.”
“So he needs to continue to play like that. You could feel it at the end of the game he was really, really tired, so we need to manage that to increase physical ability.”
United found the back of the net early on in Amorim’s first two matches vs. Ipswich Town and Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League.
Against Everton, Rashford completed his brace mere moments after the restart.
When asked whether this is tactical, Amorim just laughed and responded, “No, I’m just really, really lucky.”
“We want to play well because it’s better to start a game by scoring. If you look at the three games, all the decisive moments were for us. You have to acknowledge that. Today we started very well but lost control of the game.”
“We were following the ball without any possession after the 15 minutes, but then we score in the set-piece play, so that was a key point for us. And near half-time we scored again, and then we scored the third goal.”
“So we must acknowledge that in the right moments in these three games we scored goals. On Thursday, we controlled the ball well but today we had some difficulties. After the 15 minutes and we had some possession just to keep the ball, not to be so dangerous, but let’s see.”
“Three games without training they did a great job. This victory is more for the players than the coach.”
Up next for United is a mid-week trip to the capital to face Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.
Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
Man Utd ‘working intensively’ on three signings after ‘clear trend’ over exit revealed
Man Utd are ‘working intensively’ on three midfield signings with the Red Devils set to allow Christian Eriksen to leave on a free transfer, according to reports.
The Red Devils drew 1-1 with Ipswich Town last Sunday with Marcus Rashford opened the scoring inside two minutes before a long-range deflected effort from Omari Hutchinson gave the Tractor Boys a share of the spoils.
The point pushed Man Utd up one place to 12th in the Premier League table at the time and also marked a small forward step in Ruben Amorim’s first match in charge of the Red Devils.
There has been a lot of change at Man Utd – who host Everton on Sunday – this season with five new signings in the summer transfer window and a number of players also departing Old Trafford.
Many of those new signings were agreed to by Erik ten Hag – who left after a terrible first nine matches of the Premier League season – and now there are worries that Amorim will find it hard to replicate his 3-4-3 formation successfully with the current squad at Old Trafford.
Man Utd need a number of new players with a centre-forward and a left-back emerging as a couple of their priorities over the next couple of transfer windows, while a midfield revamp is also now on the cards.
It is claimed that by Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg that Man Utd are “targeting” three midfield signings as they look for a number 6, number 8 and number 10.
Plettenberg wrote on X: “The current and clear trend is that Christian #Eriksen’s contract will not be extended after the season. #MUFC The 32-year-old is therefore likely to leave on a free transfer in the summer at the latest.
“Meanwhile, Manchester United are working intensively on securing new midfield signings, targeting both the No. 6/8 and No. 10 positions.”
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Noussair Mazraoui has perhaps been the only Man Utd signing over the summer that has been a success so far this season with Moroccan revealing that coming to the club with Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich has made settling in easier.
Mazraoui said: “It’s a big compliment to hear the coach say nice things. What can I say? I try my best every day and in every game. I give my all for the team, for the coach and for the supporters.
“We are all in this together. It isn’t about one player. This is the first time I have played in this position. You have to view the game differently because you are not as high up the pitch like when you are the full-back.
“But you get more time on the ball and you must make the most of that in the build-up. There are some different things I have to do but it’s still the same game. Of course, I played alongside De Ligt at Bayern and having him alongside me makes life 10-times easier.”
“Really big in talent”: Amorim drooling over United star after 4-0 thrashing of Everton
Ruben Amorim oversaw the most emphatic win of his fledgling Manchester United reign as they swept Everton aside, but described the 4-0 win as “far from a perfect performance”.
Speaking to BBC Match of the Day after the game, the Portuguese tactician said: “We have to improve, you can feel that in the game. After 15 minutes Everton controlled the game and it was difficult for us and we were losing the second ball.”
Amorim has placed heavy emphasis on intensity in the midfield, so will have taken great exception to his players being beaten to the ball by Sean Dyche’s men.
He was nevertheless happy about the reaction of his players. “I felt that the players could solve some problems that we have as a team because of the quality that they have, but it was far from a perfect performance but a really good result and tough match.”
There were certainly some hairy moments for United in the first half before Marcus Rashford opened the scoring from a Bruno Fernandes corner kick.
It was a well-worked goal from a set piece, and Amorim was keen to give credit where it is due. “You have to congratulate the players and the rest of the staff,” he told the BBC.
“The most important thing on set pieces is the staff, so great job. You can see how tall they are and how small we are as a team, so we tried to see where we’d have space to create danger.”
Any mention of danger in relation to today’s performance has to include Amad Diallo, who was on fire down the right flank.
“He is really big in talent, but small in size. He did a great job but he also has to improve. He is [in] a great moment,” Amorim said. “Ruud van Nistelrooy helped him a lot in his games in charge and now he’s helping me.”
Ever since Amorim walked through the door at Old Trafford the mood has picked up, and the convincing scoreline today has kept things positive.
“It helps to have a new face, it always helps. We have to be very clear to our fans and this will always help,” he said.
“Rather than trying to convince the fans about this performance we have a lot to do, it will take time. Sometimes we are not playing well but defended everyone together. Our fans just ask for hard work and then in time they will ask for better football.”
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Joe Ponting
Joe has spent more than half his life writing about football and all of it following United. As a child he told a doctor his name was ‘Paul Scholes’, but could never pick a pass like him no matter how much he tried.
100% dribbles, 11 ground duels won, 4 tackles: Superb United star has been unleashed by Amorim
Manchester United put four goals past Everton to clinch all three points at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee grabbed two goals apiece, to secure what was Ruben Amorim’s first Premier League victory as United boss.
United had 60% possession in comparison to Everton’s 40% share of the ball.
The Red Devils managed five shots on target from their total 11 cracks at goal. Sean Dyche’s men, on the other hand, had eight cracks at goal but only two required Andre Onana to intervene.
United put together 619 passes with a pass accuracy of 89%. Everton strung 408 passes with a success rate of 40%.
The result has left United in ninth position in the Premier League table, with 19 points gained from a possible 39.
While he didn’t get on the score sheet, Amad Diallo’s contributions were equally impactful. Yet again, he started at right-wing-back and barely put a foot wrong.
In particular, Amad’s relentless work rate directly led to both of Zirkzee’s goals.
During the time he was on the pitch, the United no. 16 registered two assists – for Zirkzee and Rashford’s second goals.
He touched the ball 71 times and found his teammates with 42 of the 49 passes he attempted, managing an individual pass accuracy of 86%. Three of his passes were key passes.
Amad successfully connected with just one of the three long balls he tried to ping. He created two big chances.
The 22-year-old embarked on four dribbles, completing all of them. He delved into 14 ground duels and won an amazing 11 of them. Aerially, Amad was required to contest three challenges. He came out on top once.
Amad also made two clearances and put in four tackles.
(Stats obtained from Sofascore)
Against Everton, no United player completed more take-ons (4), won more tackles (4) created more chances (3) or registered more assists (2) than Amad.
No #MUFC player completed more take-ons (4), won more tackles (4) created more chances (3) or registered more assists (2) than Amad today.
What a player. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/6gWcgbTC4S
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) December 1, 2024
As United prepare to face Arsenal on Wednesday, Amad will be crucial if they are to get anything from that game.
Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
