I saw Manchester United players ignore Ruben Amorim warning - they paid the price five minutes later v Everton
The main talking points as Man Utd came from behind to draw 2-2 with Everton in the Premier League.
A change to the line up
Manchester United made one change to their starting line up from the defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, with Manuel Ugarte named in place of Alejandro Garnacho. The decision to drop him to the bench backfired with a dire midfield display, before Bruno Fernandes dropped back into a central role in the second-half to spark their comeback.
For all his issues in recent weeks, Garnacho has set the standard in terms of work rate, though he has lacked end product and wasted some glorious scoring opportunities. It felt like a hypocritical decision given that Rasmus Hojlund kept his place in the forward line despite an atrocious run of form in which he has been largely anonymous. They can’t persist with him much longer.
Garnacho played with real drive and determination after he was introduced and although he did not directly contribute to their comeback draw, his energy and enterprise was certainly a key reason why the managed to salvage anything.
United players ignored Amorim warning
It is hard to tell what annoyed Amorim more. United’s abysmal defending for Beto’s opening goal, or the fact that five minutes earlier he had warned his defenders about how much space they had been giving the forward beforehand.
The Guinean striker has been transformed by the arrival of David Moyes, but he’d enjoy success against United’s calamitous defence even if Mike Bassett were in charge. United failed to clear their lines from a corner on numerous occasions and were deservedly punished as Beto fired his side into a deserved lead.
United players complained to the referee that the goal had been allowed to stand, but not even a tedious and unnecessary VAR check could save them from their painful punishment. Amorim’s reaction was to simply turnaround in disgust.
We’ve seen this one before
A worrying repetitive pattern has emerged where a new signing shines in their opening few weeks simply because they haven’t been sucked into the deep void of Manchester United, before they gradually lose all confidence and self-belief. Patrick Dorgu could well be the next victim given he played rather well at Goodison Park. Well, he beat a very low bar at least.
The 20-year-old endured a few shaky moments but attacked with freedom and purpose, trying to make something happen for his side, even if he was disjointed from teammates who had seemingly lost all hope even before a ball was kicked.
His performance was perhaps a reminder that Amorim is still very early into his tenure and will need a few more transfer windows to overhaul the squad with players in his mould. It’s just a case of whether he gets the time to do so or not.
The penalty that wasn’t
Even after United had done so well to draw level in the match, they so nearly threw it away when a combination of Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt floured Ashley Young in the box. Andrew Madley initially pointed to the spot, only for the decision to eventually be overturned after a controversial VAR check that deemed there to be no foul at all. VAR has set a precedent where these calls are very rarely overturned, and although it might well have been the correct decision to deny Everton a dramatic spot-kick, the home fans were certainly not in the mood for discussion.
In a season of potential turning points and false dawns, the fact United somehow managed to avoid a dramatic defeat has to galvanise the side going forward and remind them of how much work there is to be done. It is easier said than done.
The final trip to Goodison Park
It was always going to be a tough test for United, not only against a resurgent Everton side but visiting Goodison Park for the final time, with the home supporters desperate to see their side get one over an old enemy one last time. Amorim was full of compliments for the famous old stadium and the loyal home support, but touched on a pertinent issue when he reiterated they have struggled at every ground lately, particularly Old Trafford.
“I think it is amazing, the fans of Everton are amazing, they are in a good moment,” he said. “It is well deserved that David Moyes is the coach who is going to start in the next stadium. At the moment every stadium is really difficult especially ours.” Bring on Ipswich at home in midweek.