In the 2025/26 Premier League season so far, it seems that any time Manchester United appear to have turned a corner, they follow it up with a performance that suggests otherwise. Humbling their supporters has become a theme under Ruben Amorim this term, and Gary Neville was left ruing one player's performance on Monday night, in particular, after the 10 men of Everton pulled off an unlikely 1-0 victory at Old Trafford.
The Toffees were reduced to a numerical disadvantage inside just 13 minutes when Idrissa Gueye lashed out at teammate Michael Keane before being shown a straight red card. Just 16 minutes later, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's beautiful curling strike beat Senne Lammens - a goal that proved to be the difference as the visitors dug in and earned David Moyes his first-ever victory at Old Trafford as the away manager and condemned their hosts to a first defeat in six.
Needless to say, while the Red Devils have already been much better than last season - when they fell to their worst-ever Premier League finish - the struggles of yesteryear haven't completely vanished. There still appears to be a lot of deadwood that needs shifting, and for Neville, that rings particularly true with Luke Shaw.
Neville Furious With Luke Shaw Following Everton Defeat
Luke Shaw Everton
As United went about chasing an equaliser, Neville was far from pleased with what he saw from Shaw, even though missed opportunities from Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes arguably played a bigger role in Amorim’s side failing to get back into the game and take something from a lacklustre performance.
While the scoreline demanded urgency, the 30-year-old showed very little, refusing to push any higher than his defensive position. Neville said on Sky Sports commentary:
“[Luke] Shaw is ambling forward. He's been bugging me for the last 20 minutes, and now I’m just going to say it. He is ambling. Look at him. He can’t do that. He should be running forward every single time. I don't care. That is a waste of time. Honestly, it’s a waste of time. It’s not conning anyone.”
Having won three of his four tackles, coming out on top of four of his six ground duels, and also making an interception and clearance just for good measure, Shaw was defensively astute against Everton.
But while Neville was highly critical of his lack of enthusiasm to make a difference in the buildup, perhaps it's Amorim and his reluctance to tweak his tactics that needs to face the real criticism.
Amorim's Aversion to Change Doomed United From the 13th Minute
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim applauds fans.
Premier League - Manchester United v Everton - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - November 24, 2025 Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim applauds fans after the match REUTERS/Phil Noble
After Gueye's red card, the dynamics of the match shifted completely, and any other manager would likely have read the room and adjusted their tactics accordingly. Amorim, however, continues to cling to a worrying, one-dimensional approach, never straying far from his favoured three-at-the-back setup.
Shaw can only shoulder so much blame before the onus falls squarely on his manager, who stubbornly stuck with three centre-backs and two wing-backs while trailing a 10-man side at home - a team clearly intent on parking the bus and soaking up pressure.
ruben amorim
Those inside the Theatre of Dreams were on their feet, pleading for the home side to "attack, attack, attack," yet were left scratching their heads by full-time as Amorim refused to budge from his 3-4-2-1 formation - the very tactic that has underpinned many of his worst defeats since taking the reins exactly a year ago on Monday night.