Hojlund calls for patience with Amorim´s Man Utd

Rasmus Hojlund has urged Manchester United fans to be patient as Ruben Amorim gets his feet 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 of victories for new boss Amorim, whose side drew 1-1 with Ipswich Town in his first Premier League match in charge.

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

And Hojlund says the squad will take time to adapt to their new head coach.

“Obviously it’s going to take time and we can already see some patterns,” he said.

“Now for us, it’s time to build.”

Hojlund also feels he is well-suited to Amorim’s preferred formation.

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

United ended Thursday’s game with 20 shots and 2.6 expected goals (xG), and Amorim believes there are plenty of positives to build on ahead of facing Everton.

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

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

“We tried to press all the time in the last 10 minutes, it was tough. I felt some players were really, really tired.

“We made four substitutes because of the fitness of players not thinking what was best for the game. we need the players together fit, you have to take some risks.”

1 – Manchester United have scored in the opening minute of a major European game for the first time since March 1991, when Brian McClair opened the scoring against Montpellier in a UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup tie. Speedy.

— 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), netting in his last two.

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

Everton – Dwight McNeil

Including crosses, only Andreas Pereira (103) has played more passes into the opposition box in the Premier League this season than McNeil (101).

Indeed, McNeil’s 30 chances created this term is 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 of his home league games in charge of Sporting CP by an aggregate score of 72-13.

Everton have failed to score in more different Premier League games than any other side this season (six), though only Liverpool (six) and United (five) have kept more clean sheets than the Toffees (four). Sean Dyche’s team have already had three 0-0 draws this term, last having more in 2015-16 (four).

Both of Everton’s last two Premier League games have finished 0-0 – only once in their league history have they had three consecutive goalless draws, doing so in February 1982.

United have won 41 Premier League games against Everton, more than any side has beaten another in the competition’s history.

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

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

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Manchester United – 60.2%

Everton – 18.7%

Draw – 21.1%