Everton 2-2 Manchester United
Beto 19′, Doucoure 33′ | Fernandes 72′, Ugarte 80′
GOODISON PARK — The anthem of “The Impossible Dream” echoed through the Old Trafford speakers as Sir Alex Ferguson delivered a heartfelt farewell to his loyal supporters. As he addressed the crowd for the final time 12 years ago, he urged them to rally behind the next manager, confident that the Premier League titles, having just secured his 13th top-flight crown, would continue to fill an already impressive trophy cabinet.
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Ferguson, however, fully understood that he was handing over the reins to David Moyes, a task that many would consider the “Impossible Job.” Unlike Moyes, Ruben Amorim showed no desire to take on this daunting challenge at the present time. But when a club of Manchester United’s stature comes knocking, as Moyes can confirm, it’s hard to turn them down. In retrospect, both may find themselves wishing they had declined.
“We did not exist in the first half,” Amorim remarked, adding to the long list of critiques he has issued this season. Instead of praising his team for their resilience in coming back to secure a 2-2 draw against a revitalized Everton on Saturday, Amorim chose to focus on the dismal performance that preceded it, a lackluster display that has become his own version of the Impossible Job to rectify.
Moyes’ assertion a dozen years ago that United needed to enhance their passing, chance creation, and defensive capabilities was met with skepticism. Yet today, it rings true.
Amorim has struggled to convince anyone that his innovative tactical approach will lead to sustainable, positive changes, but sometimes a manager’s influence is rendered ineffective when elite-level players fail to execute even the simplest tasks, such as clearing a ball after four attempts.
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Beto was incredulous as he managed to scuff home a scrappy finish, adding to his remarkable streak of five goals in his last four matches, having previously been considered surplus to requirements at Goodison Park. The defending on Everton’s second goal was equally comical. Yet despite the humor at one end, the ineptitude displayed at the other was even more concerning.
Amorim must be feeling dizzy from the whiplash caused by the frequent setbacks endured by this United attacking unit. After going into the break without a single shot on target, United has now gone 11 matches without scoring from open play in the first half of a Premier League game.
Bruno Fernandes rallied his Manchester United teammates in a bid to salvage a point at Everton (Photo: PA). Rasmus Hojlund has not found the net since early December, and Joshua Zirkzee has gone even longer without a league goal. This represents £110 million worth of strikers failing to register a shot on target against a team struggling at the bottom of the Premier League.
The introduction of Alejandro Garnacho from the bench sparked a change, as did the withdrawal of Hojlund. With young Chido Obi showing some determination, United finally posed a threat—something that had previously been taken for granted. Amorim noted, “I see what the players saw, and they know what people see. We lost a lot of balls without any pressure.”
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“That’s why you get disappointed. We did a lot of work during the week, but we didn’t play well in the first half. The positive takeaway is that in the second half, they played with more energy and quality in the same positions, which made a difference.”
Bruno Fernandes continues to be the backbone of the Manchester United squad, but the burden on his shoulders is becoming increasingly heavy. His free-kick brought United back into contention, followed by a well-placed finish from Manuel Ugarte that completed the comeback.
United needed a contentious late VAR review to avoid further embarrassment, as referee Andrew Madley’s decision to penalize Harry Maguire for a foul on Ashley Young was overturned. It would have been all too characteristic for United to undermine their hard work by conceding at such a crucial moment.
A reprieve of that magnitude can often rejuvenate a team. However, rectifying the dismal performance of the first half will require a significant inquest and a concerted effort moving forward.
