Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has admitted that his players were non-existent in the first half of their 2-2 draw with Everton on Saturday afternoon.
United went into the break two goals down courtesy of strikes from Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure.
It seemed like Amorim’s men were headed for a ninth defeat in 13 Premier League games but they hit back in a second-half rally, led by skipper Bruno Fernandes.
Fernandes scored a brilliant free-kick before Manuel Ugarte banged home from the edge of the box to restore parity.
Speaking in his post-match press conference after the match, Amorim rued the soft nature of Everton’s goals, while also revealing what he told his players to make them play slightly better in the second half.
Amorim told reporters, “We didn’t exist in the first half. Everything we did during the week – I think the free man was there, I think the space was there, I think we lose balls we cannot lose.”
“And the second half, I said no matter what, we are going to do what we did during the week but with a little bit more energy. I think you saw that it was not different in the position, it was different in the quality we play the game.”
“I know that every game has a history, so in that moment (at half-time) I just focus on trying to help my players. Now I am going to be worried when I see the games and try to prepare the next game. But at half-time, I just focus on trying to help the team.”
“I see what players saw and they know and what people see. We lost a lot of balls without any pressure.”
“We have free men, sometimes we don’t respect the positioning and anyone who watched a little bit of Everton in this field, they will be really good on second balls and the two goals are second balls, fighting in the air. That’s why you get disappointed.”
Amorim added, “We didn’t play first half. But it’s a good thing that in the second half they play in the same position with more energy, more quality and that makes the difference.”
“If you see the first plays, we lose some passes and some plays, we lose the ball and have transitions against us. When we are alone in small things, it takes confidence to play.”
“Then in the second half we start the game in a different way, controlling the game, pushing the opponent and the team feel a little bit more confident.”
“Maybe because they have nothing to lose but we need to perform in a better way, especially in the first half. We didn’t exist in the first half.”
On whether Andy Madley’s decision to overturn his late penalty call was the right one, Amorim answered, “It was a little bit of a soft touch.”
“We are in England, so you guys enjoy a lot the physicality of the game. I think it was clear to overturn the decision.”
United are back in action on Wednesday when they host Ipswich Town at Old Trafford.
Featured image Jan Kruger via Getty Images
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
