Matthijs de Ligt has called on Manchester United to stick together after their humbling defeat to Everton at Old Trafford. The visitors played the majority of the match with ten men following Idrissa Gueye's 14th-minute red card, yet still emerged victorious thanks to a sublime strike from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
The loss brought United's five-game unbeaten run to a shuddering halt and intensified scrutiny on Ruben Amorim's side ahead of a difficult trip to Crystal Palace. De Ligt acknowledged the importance of an immediate response, insisting the squad must show character and remain united.
"The next game, obviously, is really important now," the Holland international said. "We have to bounce back from this performance. We had some good performances the last couple of weeks, and now we had a bad one. Now it's for us to come back, to stay together and to make clear what has to be better."
United created few clear chances and lacked urgency, with Everton's efficiency proving decisive. De Ligt conceded that the Premier League punishes such failings, adding: "We conceded one goal and we didn't create a lot of chances. It is frustrating, but that's football. The Premier League is not for the weak. One chance could be a goal and, if they score after one chance and we don't, that makes the difference."
