Ruben Amorim quickly brought his Manchester United players back down to earth after their second-half comeback against Everton by blasting multiple aspects of Saturday’s 2-2 draw.
United were abysmal for the first 70 minutes of the Premier League clash before Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick and Manuel Ugarte’s late strike rescued a point.
Amorim’s side were staring at a ninth league defeat in 13 games after Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure punished an unacceptable first-half performance.
But the Red Devils ended their final trip to Goodison Park with a flourish to rescue a draw and move 13 points above the relegation zone.
After full-time, Amorim didn’t hold back with his assessment of the visitors’ display, claiming they “didn’t exist” before springing to life late on.
“If you start the game without the first half and without losing 2-0, it’s a good point. But we need to win three points, and we need to play all the game,” Amorim told TNT Sports.
He continued: “The worst part is that we have the free [Everton] men, we are losing the ball without any pressure, we are not doing what we are supposed to do, and then it’s really hard.
“And then we suffered two goals from second balls, and it was clear that they would create their chances from second balls. We were soft.”
When asked how he would fix United’s continued problems under his watch, Amorim insisted only persistence would draw improvement.
“[We will work on it] in training and continue to do the same. That’s why, in the second half, we didn’t change anything. We have to do the same thing but in a good way,” the Portuguese tactician added.
United’s prospects for the final 12 matches of the Premier League season look bleak. A first-ever bottom-half finish appears inevitable.
Yet, the Old Trafford giants are still in the hunt for silverware. They will face Fulham in the FA Cup fourth round and have a Europa League last-16 clash against Real Sociedad to look forward to.
Explaining how United can enjoy a positive end to the campaign, Amorim said: “It is more in this moment. We need to focus on things day by day.
“We need to survive this season, that is clear, and then to think ahead. But we have so, so many problems, and then when you go to the game and we let time pass, it’s really hard.
“Of course, I don’t want to focus only on the negative part. The second half was so much better, and I believe, in the end, I think we were near to winning this game.”
United have the opportunity to return to winning ways when they host Ipswich Town on Wednesday night before Fulham’s visit to M16 on Sunday.
