Amorim's solution at half-time was to bring on Mason Mount and take off Mazraoui, who was at least getting forward, so that Amad Diallo could revert to his usual position of right-wing-back and make the most of his blossoming partnership with Bryan Mbeumo. United's left side remained blunt, though, and the coach eventually took off Dorgu.
Amorim already had a seasoned attacking left-back on the pitch in Luke Shaw but rather than put the former England international in the position he has played all his life, he brought on the right-footed Diogo Dalot, who was ill-equipped to go round the outside. His only option was to go inside into midfield, where Everton were most comfortable.
It was a reminder of how United also struggled to break down Nottingham Forest earlier in the month with Dalot on the left flank, leading Jamie Carragher to say the Portuguese "can't beat a man, he's not going to play a clever pass, he's not going to get a cross in". In the end, United's best opportunity in the second half against Everton came when Shaw put a cross in for Joshua Zirkzee, whose header was denied by a fine save from Jordan Pickford.
Zirkzee's two headers in the second half were United's best efforts but they also smacked of desperation. Everton's defenders James Tarkowski and Keane were happy to deal with crosses all night, and United failed to ask enough questions of them with the ball on the floor.