Manchester United succumbed to a 1-0 loss at Old Trafford against Everton in the Premier League on Monday.
The Red Devils had the numerical advantage after Idrissa Gueye was dismissed for bizarrely slapping teammate Michael Keane.
However, United struggled to create clear-cut chances against a resolute Everton rearguard. They had never previously lost a home Premier League game against ten men (W36, D10)
The 20-time English top-flight champions were slow to move the ball and could not break Everton’s defensive block.
Man United defender Matthijs De Ligt ripped into his side for not being good enough on the night.
The Dutchman told MUTV: “From our side, we didn’t do enough. Didn’t make the runs or bodies into the box.
“They are strong in the air, so we didn’t have the players to score from that. We basically played to their strengths. These are the main aspects, but we have to look at ourselves, and it’s not good enough.
“We’ve been away and trained for a while together. We lacked a bit of urgency in several situations. They get punished if you lack this urgency.
“If you don’t score, you lose this game. We lacked this hunger to make a difference in the most important moments.”
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand echoed his sentiment.
Man United manager Ruben Amorim also noted the lack of intensity in his post-match assessment of the game.
Amorim’s honesty carried weight, but words alone won’t solve United’s problems.
United moved the ball too slowly, pressed without conviction, and never imposed themselves.
That cannot continue, because the challenge only gets tougher from here.
They visit high-flying Crystal Palace this weekend, who have turned Selhurst Park into one of the league’s most hostile venues.
Oliver Glasner’s side plays with ferocious tempo, swarms second balls, and punishes any team that drifts through phases of the game.
If United show the same lethargy they displayed against Everton, they’ll be overrun.
The intensity that was missing under the lights at Old Trafford must return because Palace won’t wait around for them to find it.
