Wayne Rooney has pinpointed one change that Ruben Amorim should have made during Manchester United’s defeat against Everton on Monday night.
Manchester United lost 1-0 to Everton in a game that saw a five-match unbeaten run come to an end.
Everton were reduced to 10 men when Idrissa Gueye received a red card in the 13th minute, but they still went on to win the match thanks to a goal by Kieran Dewsbury-Hall in the first half.
As things stand, United are 10th in the Premier League table, two places above reigning champions Liverpool.
Many questions are being asked of Ruben Amorim and his team after missing out on a chance to climb into the Premier League top four, with boos ringing at Old Trafford following the full-time whistle.
Ruben Amorim after Manchester United's loss against Everton
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Wayne Rooney questions Ruben Amorim’s system after Everton defeat
With Everton leading by a goal and reduced to 10 men, Amorim stuck by his preferred 3-4-2-1 formation.
That meant United had more than enough defensive players on the pitch, especially when they were trying to chase a game against a side with fewer men on the pitch.
Speaking to Premier League Productions after the match, Rooney said: “I would have liked to see them change the system I know Luke Shaw and and Leny Yoro was stepping in and trying to add an extra player in midfield but when you’re playing against 10 and you’ve got one extra player I think having a more creative player in natural position naturally in there would have made the difference.
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“So yeah, I think Ruben Amorim and the Manchester United players will be very disappointed with tonight’s performance.”
What did you think of Ruben Amorim’s post-game comments after the loss to Everton?
“I feel afraid of returning of this feeling of last season, that is my biggest concern. So we need to work together, we are going to work together.”
Amorim refused to change his system, despite many believing it hindered the team’s ability to create more chances against Everton’s low block.
It’s also worth noting that United’s overall performance lacked intensity. Everton were the better side before and after Gueye’s red card.
United need to bounce back with a win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Players sent off against Man Utd this season
Two players have been sent off against United this season.
Both games took place at Old Trafford, with United’s win over Chelsea being the first as Robert Sanchez received a red card in the first few minutes of the match for a foul on Bryan Mbeumo.
Gueye became the second player to get sent off against United this season on Monday night for slapping his own teammate.
It was the first time United lost to 10 men at Old Trafford.