Amorin speaks of ‘feel-good factor’ as United show signs of yore

"Ruben Amorim's red and white army" was the chant that filled the air at full-time on Sunday, as the jeers turned to cheers at Old Trafford.

The Portuguese manager took the acclaim of supporters in the Stretford End after overseeing his Manchester United side's 4-0 thrashing of lowly Everton.

The atmosphere around the ground was in stark contrast to occasions this season when the side have been booed by supporters, particularly after 3-0 thumpings on their own turf by Liverpool and Tottenham.

Defeat at West Ham on 27 October proved to be the final game for Erik ten Hag, sacked a day later, with the side languishing in 14th place and seven points adrift of the top four.

But there has been a remarkable turnaround in results and form since the Dutchman's dismissal, with interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy and now Amorim steering the side on a run of seven unbeaten games.

So after numerous false dawns, is the feel-good factor finally returning to the Theatre of Dreams?

"It helps to have a new face, it always helps," boss Amorim told BBC Match of the Day. "We have to be very clear to our fans and this will always help.

"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 we defended together.

"Our fans just ask for hard work and then in time they will ask for better football."

Win 'nothing to get overly excited by'

Despite lifting the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, the Red Devils seemed to lack any sort of identity under the haphazard style of Ten Hag, ending eighth last season, their lowest Premier League finish.

But Amorim's 3-5-2 formation, which brought so much success at Sporting, is starting to take shape at United, with diligent counter-pressing instilled in the system.

Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee both scored twice, punishing Everton's individual mistakes, while Amad Diallo was a constant thorn for the opposition.

United moved up to ninth in the table and are already eyeing a place back in the Champions League next season - they are just four points adrift of Brighton in fourth position.

Amorim drew at Ipswich in his first game, defeated Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League on Thursday and got another victory here. But Rashford, for one, is not getting carried away.

"The energy and the atmosphere speaks for itself," Rashford told BBC Match of the Day. "It is down to the players to create this in the stadium but the fans today... that is what we want to hear: Nothing but positivity and pushing the fans forward."

"He [Ruben Amorim] is definitely demanding but there's encouragement to bring your strengths into the game. That is when you get a really good team performance.

"Hopefully we can build on this and keep pushing. It's nothing to get overly excited by. We have to keep pushing every day to meet his demands."

This was the first of nine games in an arduous December for Amorim and United and with time on the training ground limited during this period, his skillset will be tested with away trips to Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham coming up.

'These moments will live with me for life'

There was a display of disgruntlement from United supporters before Sunday's game, as they protested outside the ground about the hike in ticket prices for members.

"Stop Exploiting Loyalty" read a banner after the club removed concessions, increasing ticket prices to £66 - previously it was £40 for adults and £25 for children.

But the extra cash may well be worth paying as those inside the stadium witnessed United scoring four goals in a league game for the first time since April.

Rashford's goal 20 seconds into the second half effectively ended the match as a contest, allowing home players and supporters to enjoy the remainder of the game.

United were in full command, sparking "oles" from jubilant fans, with Amorim's name being sung to the tune of Give It Up by KC and The Sunshine Band.

"Of course I am managing expectations but these moments will live with me for life," Amorim told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"We start the game with the songs and I already know some of the phrases to these and that moment I really live it, I enjoy that moment.

"But when the game is there, I want to help my players, I want to win games and to have more years and more games of hearing that song."