Manchester United's unbeaten Premier League run came to a jarring halt on Monday night, suffering a 1-0 defeat to Everton at Old Trafford that prompted stinging criticism from club legend Gary Neville.
Tactical Ineptitude Branded 'Embarrassing'
Analysing the game for Sky Sports, Neville did not hold back in his assessment of United's performance, particularly after Everton were reduced to ten men. The pivotal moment of frustration came during an Everton goal-kick, where Neville questioned why United had five defenders stationed deep while chasing an equaliser.
"You've got five defenders at the back. Why? And they didn't even win the header. Or the second ball. Embarrassing," Neville declared on commentary. He then turned his ire towards left-back Luke Shaw, accusing him of a lack of urgency. "[Luke] Shaw has started to move forward a little bit but he's ambling forward let's be clear," Neville said. "You should be running forward every single time. I don't care. What he is doing there is a waste of time, you're not conning anybody. I am not having it."
Controversial Red Card and a Wasted Opportunity
The match's major turning point occurred in the first half when Everton's Idrissa Gueye was shown a straight red card after an altercation with his own teammate, Michael Keane. The incident began from a misunderstanding and culminated in Gueye appearing to slap Keane.
Neville expressed some surprise at the decision, stating, "It's a coming together between him and Michael Keane... There's not much in it." Conversely, former Everton manager Roberto Martinez argued that referee Tony Harrington had no alternative. "Clearly it's a misunderstanding," Martinez said, "but that reaction here, that slap, open hand... any aggression above the neck is a red card."
Despite playing against ten men for the majority of the game, United failed to capitalise. The only goal of the match was scored by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, handing United their fourth league defeat of the season and their first since the loss to Brentford on September 27.
Looking Ahead for Amorim's United
The pressure now turns to manager Ruben Amorim to orchestrate a swift response. The team must regroup quickly as they prepare for their next Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace this weekend, where a victory is essential to get their campaign back on track. This defeat at Old Trafford, compounded by Neville's sharp critique, highlights the significant challenges that still lie ahead for the Red Devils.
