Ruben Amorim did not hide his disappointment after Manchester United’s latest setback, delivering one of his most blunt assessments since taking charge. Speaking after the defeat to Everton, Amorim made it clear that the performance fell far below the standards expected at Old Trafford.
He expressed deep frustration with how the team approached the match from the opening minute, particularly given that United were playing at home, fully aware of the pressure created by results elsewhere and their position in the table. According to Amorim, the players failed to match the required intensity, allowing Everton to dictate key moments long before the red card that should have shifted the game in United’s favour.
Even with the numerical advantage, United struggled to maintain long spells of possession or create sustained pressure. Amorim criticised the lack of control in transitions, noting that his side repeatedly left large spaces for Everton to exploit and failed to win decisive second balls. The inability to manage these situations, he suggested, reflected a broader misunderstanding of the game plan.
While he highlighted issues with decision-making and execution in the final third, Amorim stressed that the real problem was the team’s overall energy and intensity. Without those fundamentals, he argued, no tactical structure could succeed.
Amorim admitted he felt the same frustration shared by the club’s supporters. The team’s failure to adapt to playing against ten men, combined with a slow start and poor in-game intelligence, contributed to a result he believed Everton fully deserved.
Although United created several opportunities through crosses and loose balls in the second half, the quality required to convert those chances was lacking. In Amorim’s view, Everton outperformed his side in every major department, leaving the manager to reflect on a performance that raises serious concerns about the team’s mentality and competitive edge.
The overall mood around Old Trafford is one of disappointment, with Amorim calling for immediate improvement in work rate, understanding and execution if United hope to regain momentum.
