Ruben Amorim was left frustrated after Manchester United collapsed to a defeat to Everton.
A five game unbeaten run evaporated in a 1-0 defeat for Manchester United, and suddenly the statistics do not look so good.
Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United have taken only two points from the past three games, and face Crystal Palace away next.
It feels like all the progress we hoped United were making, has disappeared.
But before we take stock with the big-picture view, let’s examine what went wrong in this depressing defeat.
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Luke Shaw and Matthijs de Ligt as Manchester United lose to Everton.
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Failure to change formation
Everton gave Manchester United an early advantage when midfielder Idrissa Gueye was sent off for hitting out at his own teammate.
This red card was in the 13th minute, and this was the exact moment Manchester United needed to capitalise.
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United’s attack failed to gel, and Everton recovered from their early blow, going on to score in the 29th minute.
This gave them a lead to defend, and United were not direct enough.
Ruben Amorim’s substitutions were a case of tinkering around the edges too much, lacking the will to do anything really radical.
This was a moment where Ruben Amorim needed to have a plan. But instead he carried on playing the same style, and it suited Everton.
If ever there was a game to change his formation and put an extra man in attack, this was it.
He did not need three centre-backs and two wing-backs to break Everton down. And in attack, United were outnumbered by Everton’s defensive approach – when we should have overloaded them.
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Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford in 2025 in Manchester, England.
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Kobbie Mainoo on – but what’s the plan?
There were cheers from the Old Trafford crowd when Kobbie Mainoo was brought on in the 58th minute after Casemiro picked up his usual booking.
This appeared to the be the type of situation where Mainoo could flourish, yet there was no plan to get him on the ball enough.
Mainoo should have been picking the ball up from deep and helping to progress it up the pitch, but instead he ended up floating ineffectively around the final third.
This left Luke Shaw and Leny Yoro with far too much possession, and Everton were quite comfortable for them to have the ball.
Mainoo completed only 17 passes during his 35 minutes of action, with his time in attack wasted – he did not attempt a shot at goal.
This game underlined Ruben Amorim’s struggle to understand who Kobbie Mainoo is, and how to get the best out of him.
Mainoo also appeared to be lacking confidence, for which Amorim must take some responsibility too.
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Ruben Amorim gestures
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No striker alternative
Joshua Zirkzee got the nod to start up front. He had a terrible first half before improving in the second, but he never looked like scoring.
Ruben Amorim only used three of his five substitutes, and part of this was his own downfall.
Amorim overlooked prolific academy forward Chido Obi or even Gabriele Biancheri, choosing not to have a back-up forward.
Obi actually played against Everton last season and looked dangerous, and this situation would have been perfect for him.
Just by having an extra striker on, Obi could create space for others. He would have been a far bigger asset for the final 10 minutes than a third centre-back, and he would have helped Zirkzee out.
Should Ruben Amorim have rolled the dice with Shea Lacey? 🎲
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Should Ruben Amorim have at least tried?
Shea Lacey at Carrington
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Go on, try Shea Lacey…
Amorim selected creative attacker Shea Lacey on the bench instead, but lacked the courage to bring him on.
We know Everton are a tough, physical team, but if you do not think Lacey is up to the challenge, then don’t select him.
This was a spot where he might have been able to make a difference. An unpredictable, exciting young forward who the opposition know absolutely nothing about.
Lacey’s every touch would have been lapped up by the Old Trafford crowd, and on a night where United needed a lift, the young attacker could have provided it.
The worst that could have happened was that Lacey could have come on, and United still lost.
Amorim lacked bravery for not even trying it out.