In a dramatic clash at Goodison Park, Manchester United staged a spirited comeback after falling 2-0 behind against Everton.
The match quickly became a battleground of criticism and redemption under Ruben Amorim’s management.
Rio Ferdinand did not hold back on TNT Sports. He lambasted the Red Devils’ first-half display, saying, “I don’t know if I’ve seen a United team this bad. It’s been embarrassing in all facets of the game.” His words cut deep as he highlighted a lack of fight and desire.
Everton opened the scoring in just 19 minutes. Beto fired a precise close-range finish to give the hosts an early lead. Shortly after, Abdoulaye Doucoure rose to head home another goal, further deepening the deficit.
The United players struggled to pose any real threat in the opening half. They failed to register a single shot on target, and the performance disappointed both fans and critics. This lack of urgency set the stage for Ferdinand’s harsh assessment.
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The second half saw a dramatic shift in momentum. Bruno Fernandes swung a free kick after 72 minutes that halved the deficit. Then, eight minutes later, Manuel Ugarte stepped up to secure an equalizer for the visitors.
Key substitutions turned the game on its head. Alejandro Garnacho injected energy into the side, while Bruno Fernandes dropped deep to orchestrate the play. These tactical changes sparked a revival that began to silence the early criticism.
Ferdinand performed a notable U-turn as the game progressed. He acknowledged the positive impact of the changes, remarking, “Goals change games. They cannot continue like this; they have got to start games like they mean it.” His comments underscored the urgent need for a stronger start in future matches.
The dramatic turnaround at Everton now stands as both a lesson and a warning. Despite the valuable point earned, the performance remains a stark reminder that passion and intensity must drive every minute of play under Ruben Amorim’s side.