Analysis: One step forward, two steps back

Analysis: One step forward, two steps back

On the one-year anniversary of his first match in charge of Manchester United, this night underlines why, for all the improvement this season, Ruben Amorim still has some way to go to get close to the levels of consistency he demands.

Defeat brought his side's five-match unbeaten run to an end and triggered sustained boos at the final whistle.

Facing 10 men and with a chance to move into the Champions League places in the table, the home side needed to be calm and secure in possession - but they were the opposite.

Joshua Zirkzee, who was ineffective as starting replacement for injured pair Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko, gave the ball away needlessly more than once. He was not on his own though, as Patrick Dorgu and Leny Yoro also lost possession under no pressure as United tried to build attacking momentum.

United's most reliable attacking players, Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes, tested Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and substitute Mason Mount came close with a curling effort.

But it was not until Zirkzee sent a header goalwards 11 minutes from full-time, from Luke Shaw's cross, that Pickford was called into an action that could not be classed as routine.

Matthijs de Ligt scored an injury-time equaliser at Tottenham a fortnight ago, but when United's last chance offered the Dutchman an opportunity to repeat, there was not enough power for his shot to cause Pickford any worry.

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