Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim did not hold back his criticism of his team’s mentality after they salvaged only a 2-2 draw against Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday. The match saw United on the brink of another disappointing defeat, trailing 2-0 at halftime, before staging a late fightback.
Everton, under the stewardship of returning manager David Moyes, took control of the match with goals from Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure, leaving United's side reeling. Yet, captain Bruno Fernandes sparked hope for the Red Devils, firing home their first shot on target in the 72nd minute, followed closely by Manuel Ugarte's equalizer just moments later. Despite the comeback, Amorim labeled his squad as “soft,” voicing frustration over their lack of intensity throughout the match.
Currently sitting 15th on the Premier League table, Manchester United's season continues to falter, with Amorim's record showing just 15 points garnered from 45 available since he took charge last November. This dismal showing has left fans anxious about the prospect of relegation as they remain 13 points clear of the drop zone.
Moyes, for his part, expressed disappointment at not securing all three points, particularly after what he described as a dominant first half. "We should have probably been three up; I think if we’d been three up, we wouldn’t be shamed by it at all,” said Moyes, acknowledging Fernandes' pivotal role as United clawed their way back. "To go 2-0 up was great, but 2-0 is always a dangerous position to be in as a manager. Manchester United have got nothing to lose but to come and have a go," he added.
The encounter was marred by controversy as VAR overturned the referee’s decision to award Everton a stoppage-time penalty, after Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt were initially penalized for pulling back Ashley Young. The overturning of the decision compounded the frustration felt by Moyes and his team.
On the United front, Casemiro's performance raised eyebrows, with critics questioning his place on the team. The veteran midfielder, Manchester United's highest earner, struggled on the field, showcasing one of his least impressive outings this season. His sluggishness has sparked discussions about his future at the club, with questions rising over whether he can still compete at the highest level.
Once hailed as the desired solution for United's long-term midfield issues following his arrival from Real Madrid, Casemiro now appears to be falling short of expectations. Despite having enjoyed considerable success during his debut season, his recent performances suggest he may be losing touch with his once-dominant style of play. He recorded ten possession losses and completed only 20% of long ball attempts during the encounter against Everton.
“The Brazilian transfer window doesn’t shut until February 28, so his potential departure could happen sooner rather than later,” noted one pundit. Speculation is growing around possible moves, including interest from Corinthians for the former Sao Paulo player, as United's management contemplates future strategies.
While Amorim seemed to give his team some credit for the comeback, he made it clear changes are on the horizon. “Once Casemiro was replaced by Alejandro Garnacho, we massively improved,” Amorim commented, signaling a possible shift toward giving younger players more of an opportunity to shine. The youth pipeline, including promising talents like Kobbie Mainoo, Sekou Kone, Jack Moorhouse, and Jack Fletcher, is being closely examined as alternatives to the current squad.
The discussion about United's strategy going forward extends beyond poor performance metrics. United's decision-makers are tasked with defining what success will look like moving forward and how their current roster aligns with those goals. With the pressure mounting, the team must address its challenges if it aims to reclaim its position among the top clubs.
Bruno Fernandes' efforts did not go unnoticed, becoming the motivating factor behind United's late resurgence. “They dropped him [Fernandes] much closer to the ball, and we found it more challenging to contain him,” Moyes remarked, analyzing how United adjusted their play. Yet, it’s clear the team as a whole must improve to achieve any semblance of consistency and stability.
New goals are tentative for United as they begin to contemplate their next fixture against Ipswich Town on February 26, where they will seek to regain not just points but also some semblance of confidence and direction.
The road is steep for Manchester United as they navigate through one of their most tumultuous seasons. The changes could define not just the remainder of this campaign but potentially the years to come as they strive to return to their former glory.