Manchester United endured a setback in their recent defeat to Everton, with Ruben Amorim's side criticised for their performance at Old Trafford
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has faced criticism for his side's loss to Everton
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Manchester United continue to grapple with the aftermath of their loss to Everton. Ruben Amorim's squad saw their five-game unbeaten run end in a 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford on Monday night.
United had grounds for optimism before kick-off, considering the encouraging signs of progress under Amorim in recent weeks. Yet, United were unable to take advantage after Everton were left with 10 men following Idrissa Gueye's altercation with his own team-mate early in the first half.
Rather than exploiting the opportunity, United fell behind to a Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall goal and Everton managed to secure all three points. The scoreline handed David Moyes his first Old Trafford triumph as an away manager and left United 10th in the table. Here, the MEN examines some of the talking points around United.
Man United star speaks out
Matthijs de Ligt criticised the nature of United's display after struggling to fashion opportunities against Everton. The United centre-back questioned the side's strategy, hinting that De Ligt was unhappy with Amorim's approach during the match.
"From our side, we didn't do enough. Didn't make the runs or bodies into the box," he told Sky Sports. "They are strong in the air so we didn't have the players to score from that.
"We basically played to their strengths. These are the main aspects, but we have to look at ourselves and it's not good enough.
Matthijs de Ligt of Manchester United
Matthijs de Ligt was critical of United's display against Everton
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"We've been away and trained for a while together. I just think we lacked a bit of urgency in several situations.
"They get punished if you lack this urgency. If you don't score, you lose this game. We lacked this hunger to make a difference on the most important moments."
Man United icon's predicament
Former United midfielder Nicky Butt has revealed he nearly lost his Manchester United season ticket. His ex-team-mate Paul Scholes had discussed his struggles securing extra match tickets due to staff turnover since his retirement. Butt then shared his own predicament regarding his Old Trafford season ticket.
"If you don't use them three times you get them taken off you," Butt said on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast. 'I've had an email saying 'you're having your ticket taken off you.'
Nicky Butt
Manchester United legend Nicky Butt has explained an issue with his season ticket
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"So I rang them up and said 'Can I speak to somebody about this please?' And they go 'Who am I speaking to please?' And I go Nicky Butt and they go, 'OK, well who's that?'".
"I couldn't really say it but I felt like saying: 'I played about 450 games for this club! I've won about six or seven titles.' It's a different world, I wouldn't know [who to go to for tickets]."
Butt represented United between 1992 and 2004, featuring 387 times and securing numerous trophies, including six Premier League crowns, three FA Cups and the 1999 Champions League triumph.