Hojlund calls for patience with Amorim’s Man Utd

Rasmus Hojlund has urged Manchester United fans to be patient as Ruben Amorim comes under the table at Old Trafford.

Hojlund scored twice as United came from 2-1 down to beat Bodo/Glimt 3-2 in the Europa League on Thursday.

It was hardly the most convincing victory for new boss Amorim, whose side drew 1-1 with Ipswich Town in his first Premier League match.

But a win will nevertheless increase confidence at United, who welcome Everton to Old Trafford on Sunday.

And Hojlund says the team will need time to adjust to their new head coach.

“It will clearly take time and we can already see some patterns,” he said.

“Now it's time for us to build.”

Hojlund also thinks he fits well in Amorim's preferred formation.

He added: “For me, this system reminds me of how I played in a 3-4-3 at Atalanta. I like it.”

United finished Thursday's match with 20 shots and 2.6 expected goals (xG), and Amorim believes there are plenty of positives to build on ahead of the showdown with Everton.

“The result, that's the most important thing, the environment,” he said.

“I think we have improved since the Ipswich game. [We] improved quality on the ball, created more chances, [we were] more dangerous.

“We tried to press all the time in the last ten minutes, it was tough. I had the feeling that some players were very tired.

“We made four substitutions because of the fitness of players and didn't think about what was best for the match. We need the players fit together, you have to take some risks.”

1 – Manchester United scored in the opening minute of a major European match for the first time since March 1991 as Brian McClair opened the scoring against Montpellier in a UEFA Cup Winners' Cup tie. Quick.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 28, 2024

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Manchester United – Marcus Rashford

Marcus Rashford – who scored United's first goal under Amorim after just 81 seconds against Ipswich – has been involved in five goals in his last seven Premier League games against Everton (two goals, five assists), and has scored in his last two.

He is two goals away from becoming the sixth player to score 50 goals in the Premier League at Old Trafford for the Red Devils.

Everton -Dwight McNeil

Including crosses, only Andreas Pereira (103) has completed more passes into the opponent's penalty area this season than McNeil (101).

The 30 chances created by McNeil this season are almost twice as many as any other Toffees player (Ashley Young is second, on 16).

MATCH PREDICTION: MANCHESTER UNITED WIN

Since the start of last season, Amorim has won all 22 matches in its home league led by Sporting CP with an aggregate score of 72-13.

Everton have failed to score in more different Premier League games than any other side this season (six), although only Liverpool (six) and United (five) have kept more clean sheets than the Toffees (four). Sean Dyche's side have already drawn 0-0 three times this season, the last time in 2015/16 (four).

Both of Everton's last two Premier League games ended 0-0 – only once in their league history have they had three straight goalless draws, in February 1982.

United have won 41 Premier League games against Everton, more than any side has beaten anyone else in the history of the competition.

Everton have won just one of their last 31 away Premier League games against United (D8 L22), recording a 1-0 win in December 2013.

The Red Devils have won their last four Premier League games against Everton, the last of which was a longer run between December 1999 and February 2004 (nine).

OPTA CHANCE OF WINNING

Manchester United – 60.2%

Everton – 18.7%

Draw – 21.1%