Manchester United endured a frustrating evening at Old Trafford, falling 1-0 to Everton, who played more than 75 minutes a man down following Idrissa Gueye’s red card for striking teammate Michael Keane.
The altercation occurred early in the first half when Gueye clashed with centre-back Keane. Replays showed the midfielder raise his hands to Keane’s face, and he later apologised to his teammates after the match.
Despite the numerical advantage, United struggled to dominate the game. Everton capitalised through Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who scored a stunning long-range goal that left goalkeeper Senne Lammens powerless.
Manchester United’s brightest moment in the first half came from Bruno Fernandes, whose 30-yard strike was comfortably saved by Jordan Pickford. Injuries to Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha limited United’s attacking options further.
The second half saw little improvement. Mason Mount, introduced at halftime, missed two clear chances, while Bryan Mbeumo’s effort was saved. Amorim’s decision to stick with a 3-4-2-1 formation drew criticism, with Sky Sports’ Gary Neville calling the approach rigid and ineffective.
Joshua Zirkzee, playing his first game in 225 days, forced Pickford into two exceptional saves and later missed a header from Kobbie Mainoo’s cross. Fans expressed their frustration with boos at full-time, marking a low point in Amorim’s reign. Meanwhile, David Moyes celebrated his first Old Trafford victory as an away manager.
Amorim’s post-match comments:
“We are frustrated and disappointed with our performance. Everton, even with 10 men, were better for much of the match. We didn’t play with the intensity or precision required to win. There’s a lot to work on if we want to compete for top positions.”
Regarding Gueye’s red card, he added:
“Fighting among teammates isn’t necessarily bad—it shows commitment after losing the ball. I disagree with the sending-off but hope players continue to show that fighting spirit safely in the future.”
Analysis from Gary Neville:
On his podcast, Neville described United’s display as “complacent and embarrassing,” highlighting the lack of urgency and focus. “Complacency will destroy a team. Fans had every reason to boo—it was unacceptable.”
David Moyes on Gueye:
“While the red card was unfortunate, I value players showing toughness and holding each other accountable. Gueye apologised, praised his teammates, and we moved on. It didn’t affect our focus in the second half.”
Dewsbury-Hall on Everton’s resilience:
“It was a rollercoaster, but the team’s effort and determination earned us the win. Gueye apologised, and we stuck to our game plan. The incident actually strengthened our resolve in the second half.”
