A year after his first warning
Ruben Amorim issued another sharp warning about unrealistic expectations. Manchester United won 4-0 in this fixture last season, yet Amorim predicted trouble ahead. Twelve months later, his team showed similar flaws. A dramatic clash between Idrissa Gueye and Michael Keane dominated the early moments. United played 77 minutes against ten men but failed to use their numerical advantage.
United waste their advantage
Amorim watched his players struggle without control. Patrick Dorgu and Leny Yoro lost the ball under no pressure as Everton grew stronger. Amad Diallo chose poor options while covering for the injured Matheus Cunha. Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes wasted clear openings during key phases. Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo failed to strengthen their cases for more minutes as they chased World Cup dreams. Senne Lammens reacted weakly to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s first-half strike that settled the match. Zirkzee forced Jordan Pickford into a late save with a header, but no real threat followed.
A blunt assessment from Amorim
Amorim warned before the game that a strong run could collapse quickly. He said his team remained far from the level required to fight for top positions. United held leads at Nottingham Forest and Tottenham yet failed both tests. They needed late equalisers to avoid defeat in those matches. This time they knew a win would move them to fifth. Matching last season’s result would have lifted them to fourth. For 77 minutes they played at home against ten men. And lost. United had never lost a league match at Old Trafford after an opponent received a red card. They had won 36 and drawn 10 of the previous 46.
Amorim said the crowd offered full backing and expected a major step forward. He felt his players were not ready to deliver it. He repeated that United remained far from the level this club demands.
United’s direction remains unclear
The big question, exactly one year after his first match, concerns how far this team must still go. United have no European commitments and invested £250m in the summer. They sit tenth in the table but remain close to the top four. Their next run of fixtures offers many chances to collect points. When they finished eighth under Erik ten Hag, the club called it unacceptable.
Amorim described his feelings as frustration and disappointment. He said Everton deserved to win. He said United must win such matches no matter what. He even agreed with David Moyes that the Gueye-Keane clash showed welcome desire. He wants the same intensity from his own players, but without the red card.
He said fighting does not mean players dislike each other. He said fighting comes from urgency and collective responsibility. He said he hopes his players fight each other when they lose the ball because that prevents goals.
A worrying step back
After progress in October and a manager of the month award, November brought regression. The team still lacks a clear identity. Amorim seems to share that uncertainty. He said he fears the return of last season’s feeling, when every match felt dangerous. He said he fears going back to a mindset shaped by anxiety. He said his main concern lies in preventing that return.
He said the team must work together. He said the players try hard but must improve.
