Amorim Reflects on Disappointing Loss as Everton Claims Historic Victory at Old Trafford

Gueye was dismissed in the 13th minute for raising his hands to teammate Michael Keane’s face in frustration after Casemiro shot wide due to Everton’s passive defense. The Toffees had shown dominance in the early stages of the match, and after the red card, they took the lead with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s powerful strike, successfully defending it throughout the second half despite Manchester United controlling 75 percent of possession.

Amorim expressed his disagreement with the decision to send off Gueye, acknowledging that Everton fully deserved the victory. This win marked Everton’s first at Old Trafford since 2013, a notable milestone for their manager David Moyes, who celebrated his first triumph at the venue as a visiting manager after 18 attempts.

In a press conference, Amorim remarked, “I think they were a better team with 11 players. They adapted exceptionally well with 10 men for 70 minutes, and I believe we deserved to lose. Our performance lacked the necessary intensity and quality. We are currently far from where we need to be to compete for top positions in the league. We have significant improvements to make and must strive for perfection to secure wins, which we did not achieve today.”

He further expressed his concerns about reverting to the disappointing form from last season, stating, “My biggest worry is to avoid repeating last year’s feelings. We need to collaborate effectively, and I am committed to doing so. The players are making efforts, but we must elevate our game, and we will be preparing for our next match during training tomorrow.”

Amorim admitted to feeling envious of Everton’s tenacity and desire to win, despite the circumstances surrounding the red card. He commented, “Fighting for the ball is not inherently negative. It shows commitment; if a player loses the ball, they must fight to regain it to prevent conceding a goal. I don’t agree with the sending off; there should be a strong desire among teammates to reclaim possession. While it may be considered violent conduct, I hope my players maintain that fighting spirit on the pitch.”

Manchester United had the chance to move up to fifth in the Premier League following Bournemouth’s drop in points against West Ham, as well as Tottenham’s defeat by Arsenal and losses for rivals Liverpool and Manchester City against Nottingham Forest and Newcastle, respectively. Instead, they find themselves in 10th place after 12 matches, tied on 18 points with Everton and 11 points behind league leaders Arsenal.

Looking ahead to their match against fifth-placed Crystal Palace next Sunday, Amorim expressed disappointment that his team failed to capitalize on the weekend’s results and performed sluggishly against Everton.

“It is my responsibility to analyze our performance today, and it was not just the fault of one individual but of the entire team,” said the United manager. “Given the weekend’s results, we should have approached the game with a heightened sense of excitement. Regardless of our playstyle, there should have been a palpable energy at Old Trafford, signaling our intent to make significant progress, and I sensed we were not adequately prepared once again.”