United View: Reds stunned by 10-man Everton

Results elsewhere went in Manchester United’s favour over the weekend, leaving the Reds with an opportunity to move into the top four; instead, they sit in tenth place. 

If they are to mount a run into Champions League qualification, these are the games that they have to be winning.

The absence of Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko did not aid Ruben Amorim, with only Mason Mount and 18-year-old Shea Lacey on the bench in attacking threat; meanwhile, Joshua Zirkzee made his first start since April.

That being said, United looked devoid of ideas or intensity in a first half where Everton went down to ten men in comical circumstances after Idrissa Gana Gueye slapped fellow teammate Michael Keane. 

The Toffees were the better side, with and without their full squad in the opening 45, with Kieran Dewsbury Hall netting the only goal of the game.

Amorim made changes after the break, moving Amad to wing back, which saw him and Bryan Mbeumo look a threat down the right flank, but with David Moyes’ side happy to sit in and defend their lead, they shut down the duo.

Much has been made of Amorim’s system during his time as United boss, but the criticism from Monday night felt fair, making no real changes to his setup to take advantage of the man advantage. Then again, there weren’t many players on the bench you’d look towards to get a goal.

United had opportunities to get something from this game, with Jordan Pickford making one extraordinary save to deny a header from Zirzkee. 

However, it’s another defeat and one that is arguably the most inexcusable this season.

After the match, Ruben Amorim said, “It’s my responsibility to explain the game, and today was not one mistake of one individual, it was the team. The way we see the results of the weekend, we should get inside the pitch with a different excitement, that is my feeling, it doesn’t matter if you are playing well, making good passes, but the feeling. And Old Trafford was there saying we are all here to give a big step-up and I felt that we were not ready again. These five weeks, everyone is praising our evolution. I’m always saying the same things: we are not even near the moment we are supposed to be in this club.”

It’s a frustrating result, at home to a struggling side which played the majority of the game with a man less. 

A win would have left United in a good place and continued their five-game unbeaten run. 

Instead, it’s a dose of reality that United, while showing signs of improvement in this campaign, have much to change.

With AFCON right around the corner, it’s a worry how United will get on without Amad and Mbeumo. 

They have been United’s two biggest threats and have linked up well in recent weeks, but whilst they’re away, it’s difficult to see who will step up.

United’s run over this period is more favourable, and we could see the academy being utilised to provide cover. 

Additionally, the January transfer window could see an influx of players. 

If they want to ensure they are playing European football next season, they need to not falter over this Christmas period.

The Reds next take on Crystal Palace at 12 pm on Sunday, outside of it being played at a time with zero consideration for match-going fans, it’s also a difficult test against one of the toughest sides in the league. 

Hopefully their involvement in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night will be a detriment to them.