Manchester United “flop” is getting “better and better,” Everton display has cemented his place

One Manchester United player is starting to get better and better as his performance against Everton helps cement himself in Rúben Amorim’s starting XI.

Manchester United clawed their way back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw against Everton, with second-half strikes from Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte rescuing a point for Rúben Amorim’s side at Goodison Park.

Everton started with intensity, pressing high and dominating the early exchanges. Their pressure paid off after 20 minutes when Beto pounced on slack defending to net his fifth goal in four matches. The hosts doubled their lead ten minutes later as Abdoulaye Doucouré overpowered Harry Maguire to fire home a rebound after André Onana’s save, leaving United reeling at half-time.

United emerged with more stability in the second half but still struggled to match Everton’s intensity. However, with 20 minutes remaining, Bruno Fernandes ignited the comeback with a stunning free kick that curled past the keeper.

Moments later, Manuel Ugarte completed the turnaround with a brilliant strike, setting up a thrilling final stretch. The drama wasn’t over—Matthijs de Ligt brought down Ashley Young in the box in the dying moments, seemingly handing Everton a penalty.

But after a VAR review, the decision was overturned, ensuring United escaped with a hard-fought point.

Zirkzee is getting better after flop claims

United recruited striker Joshua Zirkzee in the 2024 summer transfer window with United wanting to add new firepower to their front line after Anthony Martial’s contract expired.

However, his start to life at Old Trafford did not go as smoothly, with the player failing to kick on after a debut goal against Fulham, and many branded him a “flop” transfer just months into his five-year contract.

But, under Amorim, he has now started to grow into himself in recent weeks, and performances against Everton, Tottenham Hotspur, and Leicester City of late have seen him garner praise.

Many feel that, after a tough few months, Zirkzee is starting to become “better and better” at United, and hope that his gradual increase in confidence will have an effect across the dressing room.

Zirkzee’s place under Amorim is now cemented

Zirkzee start the Everton tie as a right-sided attacking midfielder, with normal first-choice Amad now out for the remainder of the campaign with an ankle problem.

Read More: 89-touch Manchester United star justifies Rúben Amorim’s double transfer decision with “brilliant” Everton display

Although there were already shouts for Zirkzee to fill that space following the 23-year-old’s performance against Tottenham, his game against Everton has cemented his role as Amorim’s right-sided attacker for the remainder of this season.

Zirkzee played a full 90 minutes against Tottenham and was seen all over the pitch, trying to impact in the box as well as get involved in play across the park, as can be seen by his heat map below.

After fans criticised him for often not getting in the area as a central striker, his position playing slightly deeper and having licence to roam around the field suits him much better, and the club see positive results as a consequence.

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