Amorim Reflects on Disappointing Loss to Everton

Gueye received a red card in the 13th minute for raising his hands to the face of teammate Michael Keane in frustration after Casemiro missed a shot due to passive defending from Everton. Despite this setback, the Toffees, who had been dominant in the early stages of the match, took advantage of the situation and secured the lead through Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s powerful shot. They adeptly defended their advantage throughout the second half, even as Manchester United maintained 75 percent of possession.

Amorim contested the decision to send off Gueye, acknowledging that Everton deserved the victory. This win marked the first time Everton triumphed at Old Trafford since 2013, during David Moyes’ tenure at Manchester United, and it was Moyes’ first win at the venue as an opposing manager after 18 attempts.

In a press conference, Amorim stated, “I believe they performed better with 11 players. They also managed to organize effectively with 10 for the remaining 70 minutes. Therefore, I accept that we deserved to lose. Our performance was subpar, lacking the necessary intensity. I am aware of our current standing, and we are far from where we need to be to compete for premier positions in the league. We have significant improvements to make, and perfection is essential for securing wins—something we failed to achieve today.”

Amorim expressed concern about reverting to the disappointing form of the previous season, emphasizing the need for unity and collective effort. He mentioned, “My biggest worry is falling back into last season’s patterns. We must work together diligently. I am committed to this process. Our players are putting in effort, but we must enhance our performance. Training is scheduled for tomorrow, and we will prepare for the next match.”

He further conveyed admiration for Everton’s resolve and fighting spirit, despite the circumstances leading to the red card. “Fighting is not inherently negative. It reflects a commitment to the team; if one loses the ball, there is an urgency to retrieve it to prevent conceding. This was my sentiment during the match. While I don’t agree with the red card, I hope my players exhibit that same fighting spirit among themselves. It’s crucial to foster that competitive edge without resulting in ejections, as it signifies a healthy team dynamic.”

United had an opportunity to ascend to fifth place in the Premier League following Bournemouth’s dropped points and poor performances by Tottenham, Liverpool, and Manchester City. Instead, they find themselves in 10th place after 12 matches, sharing 18 points with Everton and trailing leaders Arsenal by 11 points.

As they prepare to face fifth-placed Crystal Palace next Sunday, Amorim voiced his disappointment that his team did not capitalize on the positive outcomes from other matches over the weekend, leading to a lackluster performance against Everton. He remarked, “It is my responsibility to explain our performance today, which was not the result of a single individual’s mistakes, but rather a team effort. Given the weekend’s results, we should have entered the match with renewed energy. Regardless of our execution on the pitch, the atmosphere at Old Trafford should have propelled us to elevate our game, and I felt that we were not adequately prepared once again.”