Ruben Amorim called Manchester United “non-existent” in the first half against Everton before two goals after half time secured a comeback 2-2 draw at Goodison Park.
Everton were deservedly two goals ahead inside 33 minutes as Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure pounced on United’s fragile defensive line during an opening half in which the hosts played with intensity but their opponents failed to register a shot on target.
United came back after the interval courtesy of Bruno Fernandes’s free kick and Manuel Ugarte’s first goal for the club. But the visitors were indebted to a late VAR intervention which led to referee Andy Madley overturning his decision to award a penalty for a four on Ashley Young.
The second half was another demonstration of United’s ability to recover during matches but their lacklustre first-half showing left Amorim deeply unsatisfied.
“We just played one half and we managed to draw the game,” the United head coach said. “We didn’t exist in the first half. Everything we did in the week I think the free man was there, I think the space was there, but I think we lost balls we cannot lose.
“Anyone that watches Everton know they will be really good on second balls and the two goals are second balls. That’s why you get disappointed. But let’s not just focus on the negatives.
“In the second half I said no matter what the result, we are going to do what we did during the week but with a little bit more energy. I think you saw it was not different in the positions it was different in the quality with which we played the game.”
The draw ensured United did not lose three consecutive Premier League games, following defeats to Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace, but also meant Amorim has won just four top-flight games out of 15 since arriving in November.
United, who remain 15th in the standings, are currently struggling to put together any semblance of consistency, both during and between games.
“For me, in this moment, every stadium is really difficult, especially ours with our fans supporting all the time,” he added. ”My goal is to just win the next game and to give some happiness to our fans because they deserve it a lot.”
'You shouldn't be getting away with shirt pulls'
Meanwhile, David Moyes believed that the overruling of his side’s late penalty was harsh as he felt there had been a tug by Matthijs de Ligt on Young. Yet the official reason provided by the Premier League only mentioned a subsequent foul by Harry Maguire, and not one by his defensive partner.
When told the decision had been based on the Maguire foul, Moyes said, “So did they look at the shirt pull? So they only mentioned the bit they needed to?
“It looked to me as though the shirt pull was enough. I can only tell you what I have seen. I didn’t know what you just told me. You shouldn’t be getting away with pulling jerseys.
“If it was absolutely clear and obvious that he should go to the screen I didn’t see that. I just thought the referee made the correct decision at the time and he should have stuck with it.”
The draw meant Everton pulled further clear of the relegation zone, with the gap now being 14 points, and Moyes was pleased with the efforts of his players.
“I am hugely pleased we got a point because it is another point towards safety and that is the job,” he said.
“I am disappointed we didn’t take all three. We played here last week and drew 2-2 against Liverpool and it felt like a win. Today’s 2-2 felt not like a defeat but close to it.”
