Manchester United fell to their first Premier League defeat in six games as Everton secured a staunch 1-0 victory at Old Trafford on Monday evening.
Rúben Amorim handed Joshua Zirkzee his first start of the season as Manchester United welcomed Everton to Old Trafford in a Monday night Premier League fixture.
The tie started with United retaining possession, although Everton looked more threatening. But, just before 15 minutes, Idrissa Gana Gueye was sent off for the visitors after slapping Michael Keane, his own teammate, in the face.
Despite the advantage, Amorim’s men failed to inspire, and a brilliant strike from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall gave David Moyes’ men a precious 1-0 lead. Even though the deficit inspired some urgency in Red, the two sides went into the dressing rooms with the score tipping Everton’s way.
In the second half, Mason Mount joined the action, with Kobbie Mainoo and Diogo Dalot joining shortly after, but the Toffies stood firm. With 20 minutes to play, Bryan Mbeumo, Bruno Fernandes, and United’s deadliest attackers tried to pepper Jordan Pickford’s goal, and Zirkzee was denied brilliantly.
As play trickled into added time, Everton’s game management was spotless, earning the Blues a vital and well-deserved three points on Monday evening.
#1 – United’s worst start of the season
United have been far from consistent this season, but there is little doubt that this was the worst first-half performance the Reds have put in since the beginning of the campaign.
Despite having a home advantage, good form under their belt, and an extra man for 30 minutes, United were lacklustre and uninspiring, showing no urgency in their play.
Once the Toffies scored, the team clicked into gear, but even then, they still looked disjointed and disconnected. As far as performances go, that was a possible all-time low for the Reds under Amorim.
#2 – United not capitalising on their own luck
Before the game, Amorim was asked how far United are from creating a team that consistently wins. He replied by explaining that any team that wins needs a good mentality and a bit of luck, but United didn’t take advantage of their own against Everton.
Despite a first 15 minutes where Moyes’ men dominated, the red card had little effect on their effectiveness on the ball, and it felt as if the side took their advantage as an assumption that a lead would be granted, rather than capitalising and launching an onslaught at Jordan Pickford.
In the second half, they obviously became much more dominant, with Amorim’s attacking changes adding weight, but it was to no avail. Everton sat back, absorbed the pressure, and United had no answer. Shameful.
#3 – Zirkzee’s return to the starting XI was unfortunate
Zirkzee was starting his first fixture of the season for United, with Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Šeško out through injury. Preferred to Mount, the Dutchman had a slow start in the first half, failing to look too threatening on goal.
With Mount on the pitch and Mbeumo playing closer to him, the 24-year-old became more involved once tight-touch players surrounded him, but with United needing a target-man in the middle of the box, his weak aerial presence hurt the Reds.
In another, more expansive tie, he may have had a welcome return and positive impact at United, and to his credit, he had a few good headed chances denied by Pickford. But, for the most part, it was not the game for him.
#4 – Amorim has major left wing-back problem
Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu started at left wing-back against Everton, with Dalot also battling him for the position this season. The former was less than impressive against Everton, but once the latter replaced him, Dalot was not much better.
Read More: Player Ratings – Manchester United vs Everton (Premier League)
According to some reports, left wing-back is a position that’s under heavy consideration for a new signing in the coming summer, and if there was any justification for this, it’s the lack of threat on the left flank.
It’s a significant problem for Amorim, United being so brilliant on the right with Amad and Mbeumo but lacklustre on the left, and it must be addressed.
#5 – Amorim’s shape must come into question
With United having a one-man advantage for the vast majority of the tie, it was rightly noted in commentary that Amorim’s decision to keep his three centre-backs in line hindered United’s dominance.
Despite having most of the ball, Luke Shaw, Matthijs de Ligt, and Leny Yoro mostly stayed behind the play, even as Everton played with no more than one player up front, almost nullifying the numerical advantage on the other end of the field.
Meanwhile, Moyes was fantastic with his substitutions, changed his in-game tactics to perfection, and thoroughly deserved the three points. Amorim will never change his base shape – this is well known – and despite the recent success, this
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