Ruben Amorim surprises fans by starting Joshua Zirkzee against Everton
- Joshua Zirkzee was chosen to start against Everton due to his technical ability.
- Rasmus Hojlund, who recently scored twice, will be on the bench after playing on Thursday.
- The team aims to secure a win to climb the Premier League table after a challenging beginning to the season.
On December 1, 2024, Manchester United faced Everton in a crucial Premier League match at Old Trafford. Manchester United's head coach, Ruben Amorim, chose to start Joshua Zirkzee instead of the in-form Rasmus Hojlund, who had scored twice in their previous Europa League match. The decision aimed to leverage Zirkzee's technical ability against Everton's strong center-backs, which raised questions among fans due to Hojlund's form and Zirkzee's limited scoring record since joining the club from Bologna. Despite this, Amorim felt Zirkzee's skill set was necessary for the match, citing the need for a strategic approach against a well-prepared Everton side. Amorim acknowledged the challenge posed by Everton, pointing out that they were difficult to beat and had the advantage of extra preparation time. United’s objective for the match was to secure a victory to improve their position in the Premier League table, having struggled earlier in the season under Erik ten Hag. A win could take United into the upper half of the table, while Everton was fighting to move further away from relegation dangers, making the match vital for both teams.