Amorim Warns That Progress Remains Slow and Fragile
Ruben Amorim returned to Old Trafford with caution rather than celebration. His earlier warning about a coming storm still shaped this visit. His team beat Everton 4-0 last year, yet he insisted they remained far from complete. He repeated that message as Manchester United failed to use a major advantage. United watched Idrissa Gueye and Michael Keane clash in a strange scene that ended with a red card. The fight left Everton with 10 men for 77 minutes. United then produced a display that confirmed Amorim’s concerns about slow evolution.
United Lose the Ball and Their Rhythm Far Too Easily
Amorim watched his young defenders give the ball away under no pressure. Patrick Dorgu and Leny Yoro both did it as Everton gained momentum. Amad Diallo then made poor choices while replacing the injured Matheus Cunha. Cunha even missed a chance to switch on Altrincham’s Christmas lights due to that injury. Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes then struggled with key moments as chances slipped away. Joshua Zirkzee failed to impress during his first start this season. Kobbie Mainoo also failed to shine during his long second-half run. Both players need strong displays to protect their World Cup hopes. Senne Lammens then made a weak attempt to stop Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s decisive shot. Zirkzee forced Jordan Pickford into one full-stretch save near the end. United created nothing more in a match they should control with ease.
A Promising Run Now Shows Signs of Cracking
Amorim warned on Friday that a strong run can collapse very fast. United now travel to Crystal Palace on Sunday. He said he understood exactly where his team stood in their rebuild. He added that they remained far from the level needed to fight for elite positions. He said they must be perfect to win matches. They were not perfect today.
Recent Matches Reveal a Repeated Failure to Stay in Control
United’s recent form highlights a troubling pattern. They led at Nottingham Forest and Tottenham but failed to hold either lead. They needed late equalisers to escape defeats after falling behind. If they had protected those advantages, they would sit second in the live table. They entered this match last in the round and knew a win would lift them into fifth. A repeat of last season’s score would push them into fourth. They played 77 minutes at home against 10 men with that chance in reach. They still lost. It was their first Premier League home defeat after the opponent saw a red card. They had won 36 and drawn 10 of the previous 46 in that scenario.
Amorim Fears a Return to Last Season’s Dark Spiral
Amorim said Old Trafford seemed ready for a big step forward. He felt his team were not ready to take it. He repeated that praise from the last five weeks hid deeper problems. He insisted they remained far from the standard expected at this club. He now faces a key question one year after his first match, a draw at Ipswich. How far are they from where they must be? United face no European matches, unlike Crystal Palace before Sunday. The club spent £250m in the summer to rebuild a squad that finished 15th. They sit 10th inside a tight group with Tottenham, Everton and Liverpool. They remain three points off the top four as they enter a run that should offer many points. The club saw eighth place under Erik ten Hag as unacceptable. Amorim described the match as frustrating and disappointing. He said Everton played better. He said United deserved the defeat.
A Heated Clash Shows a Trait Amorim Wants in His Own Squad
Amorim agreed with David Moyes that the Gueye-Keane fight showed desire. He said he wants that desire in his own team without the red card. He said fighting is not bad. He said fighting does not mean players dislike each other. He said fighting means reacting after losing the ball because danger is coming. He said he hopes his players fight each other in that sense when they lose the ball.
Steps Forward in October Now Drift Into Troubling Regression
United moved forward in October with a strong run and a manager of the month award. November now brings clear regression. We still do not know what this United team truly is. Amorim seems to feel the same. He said he fears a return to last season’s bleak feeling when each match seemed dangerous. He said he entered games worried about what he would see. He said he fears that feeling again. He said the team must work together. He said they will work together. He said the players try, but they must be better.
