Ruben Amorim names biggest concern as he makes bleak Man Utd admission

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim suffered a setback on Monday night (Picture: Getty Images)

Ruben Amorim was left fearing of a return to ‘the feeling of last season’ after Manchester United ’s defeat to Everton , admitting his team is ‘nowhere near’ where it needs to be.

After a five-game unbeaten run it was a sobering night at Old Trafford for the Red Devils on Monday.

Despite an early red card for Everton’s Idrissa Gueye , the visitors left with a 1-0 victory , handling a limp Manchester United side pretty comfortably.

It was the first time in Premier League history that a team with 10 men has won at Old Trafford, in the 47th match in which a visiting team has been shown a red card.

The Red Devils were missing attacking talent in Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko , but it was still a huge worry for them that they created few good chances over the piece.

After building recent momentum, Amorim admits he fears a return to the abysmal form, results and atmosphere of last season, which remains his chief concern.

‘I feel afraid of returning to the feeling of last season, that is my biggest concern,’ the manager told a post-match press conference. ‘We need to work together, we are going to work together.

Idrissa Gueye gave United a helping hand with an early red card for slapping teammate Michael Keane (Picture: Getty Images)

‘The players are trying but we need to be better. We have training tomorrow and we are going to prepare the next one.’

Defeat left Manchester United 10th in the Premier League, with just five wins from their 12 outings in the top flight.

They are just three points off a top four spot, so there is still every chance of them turning this season into a positive one, but Amorim does not sound particularly convinced that will happen.

‘We are not there, not even near the point that we should be to fight for the best positions,’ said the frustrated United boss.

Amorim was frustrated with what he saw from his team at Old Trafford (Picture: Getty Images)

‘We have a lot to do. We have to be perfect to win games, we were not perfect today.

‘When we see the results of the weekend, we should get onto the pitch with a different excitement. Old Trafford was there saying ‘we are all here for a big step up’. And we were not ready.

‘These five weeks, everyone is praising our evolution. But I’m always saying the same things: we are nowhere near the moment we are meant to be in this club.’

Matthijs de Ligt felt Manchester United lacked focus and intensity (Picture: Getty Images)

Red Devils defender Matthijs de Ligt had little positive to say about his side’s performance , saying it was definitely a move in the wrong direction after recent encouraging signs.

‘I think in all aspects today it felt like a step back,’ said the Dutchman. ‘Not only the result, the intensity, the focus, the way we were fighting for each other, suffering for each other.