London, 30 November 2024 (PA Media/dpa/MIA) - Manager Ruben Amorim says Manchester United’s stacked schedule is “no excuse” as he seeks a first Premier League win in charge against Everton.

The 39-year-old oversaw a 1-1 draw at promoted Ipswich in his first match at the helm and celebrated a maiden victory against Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League on Thursday.

Amorim was touched by the warm welcome he received at Old Trafford, where he made six changes for the 3-2 triumph and made full use of his bench as he kept upcoming exertions in mind.

United start a nine-game December schedule at home to Everton on Sunday, when more alterations are in store as he seeks a first Premier League win.

Put to him that Sean Dyche’s Toffees have had a week to prepare unlike his side, head coach Amorim said: “It is what it is, and we will rotate players and we will be ready.

“(Against Bodo) we have to use like four subs to manage the fitness, not the game. We manage the fitness. We have to do it.

“We already know that it will be like that so no excuse. We should be ready for Sunday, and we have to win.”

Amorim is having to balance United’s requirement for victories with the need to build player fitness, especially with those returning from injuries.

The head coach has said he wants “better athletes” but has been impressed by the players’ output so far.

Amorim said he was unsure whether absent quartet Jonny Evans, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof or Leny Yoro would be involved against Everton as he left United’s pre-match press conference.

The centre-backs will give him more options for his favoured back three flanked by wing-backs, where Diogo Dalot – United’s player of the year last season – has the attributes to shine.

“He’s very powerful,” the Portuguese said of his compatriot. “We have to rotate him sometimes because he looks like he is always fresh but it’s not like that. He’s not a machine.

“You can feel it in every play, the way he lives the game, so it’s very important for us.”