A year on from his first alarm
Ruben Amorim issued another clear warning about unrealistic expectations. Manchester United beat Everton 4–0 in this fixture last season, yet Amorim predicted turbulence ahead. One year later, his team exposed the same weaknesses. A fierce clash between Idrissa Gueye and Michael Keane dominated the early action. United played 77 minutes with a man advantage but failed to use it.
United let the game slip away
Amorim watched his team lose control at vital moments. Patrick Dorgu and Leny Yoro gave the ball away under no pressure as Everton pushed forward. Amad Diallo made poor choices while covering for the injured Matheus Cunha. Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes wasted clear chances in promising positions. Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo failed to strengthen their cases for more regular minutes as they chased World Cup hopes. Senne Lammens reacted weakly to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s strike, which settled the match. Zirkzee forced Jordan Pickford into a late save, but no real pressure followed.
Amorim delivers a frank verdict
Amorim warned before kick-off that a good run could collapse quickly. He insisted United remained far from the level needed to fight for top places. United held leads at Nottingham Forest and Tottenham but failed both tests. They needed late goals to avoid defeat in those matches. This time a win would have pushed them to fifth. Matching last season’s score would have lifted them to fourth. Instead, they played 77 minutes at home against ten men and still 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 strong support and waited for a big step forward. He said his players were not ready for it. He repeated that United remained far from the standard expected at this club.
United still lack direction
The key question, exactly one year after Amorim’s first match, concerns how far this team must still travel. United have no European distractions and invested £250m in the summer. They sit tenth in the table but remain close to the top four. The next run of fixtures offers chances to collect points. When they finished eighth under Erik ten Hag, the club called it unacceptable.
Amorim said he felt frustration and disappointment. He said Everton deserved the win. He said United must win these matches without excuses. He agreed with David Moyes that the Gueye-Keane clash showed desire. He wants the same intensity from his own players, but without ill discipline.
He said fighting does not mean players dislike each other. He said fighting shows urgency and shared responsibility. He said he wants his players to fight each other when they lose the ball because that stops goals.
A step backwards after signs of progress
After progress in October and a manager of the month award, November brought regression. The team still lacks a clear identity. Amorim appears to feel the same uncertainty. He said he fears a return to last season’s mindset, when every match felt dangerous. He said he fears slipping back into anxiety. He said his main concern lies in avoiding that return.
He said the team must work together. He said the players try hard but must improve.
