Manchester United suffered a first loss in five against Everton on Monday night, and it was a performance that raises serious questions.
Familiar criticisms are being raised at Manchester United after the embarrassing 1-0 defeat to a 10-man Everton side.
Despite being heavy favourites, United put in a terrible performance, which Everton were completely comfortable defending against despite their numerical disadvantage.
What is your message to Ruben Amorim after Manchester United’s defeat to Everton?
Ruben Amorim gestures
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United didn’t deserve to win against Everton, as the only chances created were optimistic shots from outside the box or crosses into Joshua Zirkzee, who, despite his height and clear headers, cannot head the ball.
As bad as the defeat feels, what was worse than the result was the performance, and after the game, Ruben Amorim has made it clear how he feels.
Ruben Amorim looks depressed on the touchline
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Ruben Amorim is concerned after Manchester United 0-1 Everton
The United game plan was one-dimensional against Everton, and Matthijs de Ligt slammed the attacking set-up after the game, which was a damning critique for Amorim.
Speaking to the press after the game, Amorim didn’t have much positivity to spread either, explaining that he’s beginning to fear the situation becoming like it did last season.
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“I feel afraid of returning to this feeling of last season; that is my biggest fear, we need to work together, and we need to be better.”
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While it might feel quick to begin questioning Amorim again after a five-game unbeaten run, the performance was indefensible from United.
Losing 1-0 at home against a mid-table 10-man side is bad, and now three games winless, the pressure is undoubtedly growing again on the Portuguese head coach.
Ruben Amorim is creating his own problems right now
Some things are out of Amorim’s control, such as Jordan Pickford having a great game and Joshua Zirkzee failing to convert numerous headed chances.
However, Amorim still made plenty of mistakes, and the biggest was the in-game decisions, which saw United keep a back three on the pitch during the game.
United ended the game with Leny Yoro, De Ligt, Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw on the pitch when surely Amorim could have pushed harder against a 10-man team and put Shea Lacey on the pitch.
Should Ruben Amorim have rolled the dice with Shea Lacey? 🎲
Do you think Shea Lacey could have changed the game?
Should Ruben Amorim have at least tried?
Shea Lacey at Carrington
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Lacey has been prepared for this moment and to play for the first team and would have offered way more in terms of creativity than the four aforementioned players.
Amorim needs to rethink his decisions and take some risks going forward; otherwise, it could be a slippery slope for Amorim.