Manchester United lost 1-0 at home to 10-man Everton on Monday night and Wayne Rooney feels there was a ‘big problem’ with how the Red Devils approached the game.
After a five-match unbeaten run, Manchester United were favourites to beat the Toffees and their odds shortened further when Idrissa Gueye was sent off after just 13 minutes.
The Everton midfielder slapped his own teammate, Michael Keane, in a ridiculous moment to earn himself a straight red.
However, Manchester United could not capitalise and fell behind on 29 minutes to a fantastic Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall strike.
The home side dominated the game from there on in, but despite producing 25 shots, didn’t create many good chances at all.
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Red Devils defender Matthijs de Ligt pointed out that the ploy of continually putting crosses into the box was not the brightest idea, given the make-up of Everton’s defence and Manchester United’s attack.
‘It’s always difficult against 10 men, they drop a little bit more,’ said De Ligt. ‘They have four guys who are two metres at the back, so crosses are going to be difficult.
‘I think we lacked the patience to play between the lines and play on the floor. I think we crossed a lot of balls but obviously they are really strong in that aspect. But still we have to do a lot more than this.’
‘That was a big problem for them tonight.’
The former Manchester United and Everton forward Rooney agreed with the Dutchman, saying the unsuccessful tactic was a big problem for Ruben Amorim’s side.
‘They were certainly favourites to win the game tonight and Everton going to 10 men, you think they’re going to kick on and win the game comfortably,’ said Rooney.
‘I think, as De Ligt just said there, they forced too many balls, they were crossing the balls at times when they didn’t need to cross it. If they’d stayed a bit more patient and pulled Everton out of position…that was a big problem for them tonight.’
Rooney also had criticism for Amorim, believing that he could have replaced one of his three centre-backs with a creative midfielder when Everton were down to 10 men.
‘I would like to see them change the system,’ he said. ‘I know Luke Shaw and Leny Yoro were stepping in and trying to add an extra player in midfield. But when you’ve got an extra player, having a more creative player in his natural position would have made the difference.
‘I think Ruben Amorim and the Manchester Untied players will be really disappointed with tonight’s performance.’
‘I think in all aspects today it felt like a step back.’
De Ligt was certainly disappointed, saying: ‘I think in all aspects today it felt like a step back. Not only the result, the intensity, the focus, the way we were fighting for each other, suffering for each other.
‘Today definitely felt like a step back compared to the last week.’
Gary Neville was on commentary duty for Sky Sports and was not convinced by the efforts of Shaw or Yoro to move into midfield.
‘Shaw is starting to move forward a little bit, but he’s ambling forward, let’s be clear,’ said Neville. ‘He’s been bugging me for the last 20 minutes. Look at him.’
The former United defender added: ‘You can’t do that. You should be running forward every single time, I don’t care.
‘Yoro, I have more sympathy with because he’s not as comfortable on the ball, but Shaw shouldn’t be playing there.
‘It’s a waste of time, I don’t care. Honestly, what he’s doing there, you’re not conning anybody.’