Dismal defeat by 10-man Everton makes mockery of Man Utd ‘revival’

What a slap in the face. The first was suffered by Everton, with Idrissa Gueye sent off for incredibly striking his own team-mate. But that was as nothing to the damage done to Manchester United. Now that was a truly forceful, almost a knockout blow. They certainly played as if somewhat dazed and confused as Everton’s fight night turned into United’s fright night.

Defeat ended their five-match unbeaten run and put some sobering perspective on talk that they can make a Champions League push. The manner of this performance made a mockery of that debate.

It was all set up for United, playing last after a weekend when results went in their favour. Incredibly a win would have taken them into those Champions League places. What an incentive that was. What an utter mess they made of it. What a bottle job.

Everton played almost the entire match with a player fewer but were rarely troubled and it should also be remembered that they were the better team when they had all 11 players as well.

Gueye’s dismissal felt a bit unwarranted and surely a rebuke from the referee Tony Harrington for what was more of a tap than anything forceful would have been enough? It did not look like violent conduct.

But there is nothing unwarranted about the criticism United and Ruben Amorim will face after this latest debacle. What a way for Amorim to “celebrate” the year to the day he first took charge of United, drawing away to Ipswich Town.

Not so long after that Amorim was talking about a storm coming and while he was right there had been hope it was finally abating. Now those angry clouds are gathering again. It felt like a step forward and three back for Amorim.

What is the definition of madness? Doing the same thing time and again even though it is not working? The Portuguese argues that sticking to his rigid system – 3-4-2-1 – is a hill he is prepared to die on and that, actually, it has started to work.

But how is he so dogmatic no matter what the circumstance?

It even begins to look like his version of “Bazball”. But with fewer wins and less excitement.

In the absence of injured attackers such as Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko and against a reduced side Amorim had to change something else if he did not have the personnel.

Instead he just would not alter his system, sticking with the three centre-halves and the two wing-backs and inevitably made it easier for Everton and their manager – and former United manager – David Moyes who celebrated his first win at Old Trafford from the opposition dugout.

It was thoroughly deserved and took Everton above Liverpool in the Premier League table and just behind United on goal difference. All three sides are on 18 points but on an evening when United hoped they could press their claim for a sustained revival they were simply embarrassing.

It was not just their former manager who came back to haunt United. Defender Michael Keane – who had been struck by Gueye – was a colossus at the back and James Garner was relentless in midfield. Both were on United’s books.

Goalscorer Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was also outstanding as was goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and Jack Grealish who showed another side of his game as he worked incredibly hard to fight for the ball. But then every Everton player did – and those five are all English and with Thomas Tuchel in the directors’ box.