Amorim's refusal to adapt was key factor in defeat to 10-man Everton

RUBEN AMORIM was asked how he felt after Manchester United's defeat to Everton - “Frustration, disappointment about the way we played the game. I think they were the better team,” he said.

- By STEVE RAILSTON

“With 11, they defended really well. With 10 men, 70 minutes. So I think we deserved to lose. We didn’t play well. We didn’t play with the right intensity. That's it.”

But why did the players deliver such a shocking performance?

“We talk about this a lot of times,” Amorim said. “I know which point we are in the moment. I have that feeling during this run. I always talk about that.

“We are not there, not even near the point that we should be to fight for the best positions in the league. We have a lot to do and we need to be perfect to win. We were not perfect today.”

United should not need to be “perfect” to beat a 10-man Everton at Old Trafford.

The decision to send off Idrissa Gana Gueye handed United a huge advantage with 77 minutes remaining, but Everton grew in belief they would claim a victory with every minute after Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s goal.

Everton did not look like a side missing a player on the pitch. United played into their hands, playing crosses into the box, which was illogical given the height of Everton's back line.