Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim delivered a scathing assessment of his team's performance after their 2-2 draw at Everton, declaring "we didn't exist in the first half."
The Portuguese coach was left furious after watching his side trail by two goals at the interval, having failed to register a single shot in the opening period at Goodison Park.
United eventually salvaged a point but Amorim was unsparing in his criticism of the display.
Beto and Abdoulaye Doucouré put the hosts ahead after what Amorim described as "suspect defending" from United.
Ruben Amorim was not happy with his United players
Reuters
Bruno Fernandes pulled one back with a well-placed free-kick before Manuel Ugarte netted his first goal for the club to level the scores.
A dramatic finale saw Everton awarded a penalty, but VAR intervened and referee Andrew Madley overturned the decision after an on-field review.
Amorim later backed the officials, stating: "I think it was a soft touch from what I saw."
The United boss was particularly critical of his team's careless possession play at Goodison Park.
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"The worst part is that we have the free men, and we are losing the ball without pressure and we are not doing what we are supposed to do," Amorim told TNT Sports.
He also highlighted defensive frailties, adding: "We suffered two goals from second balls, and that was clear that they will create that chances by second balls, we were soft."
"When you go to the game and you let the time pass -- it's really hard," he said.
Most alarmingly, Amorim admitted he currently lacks solutions to United's problems.
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Everton raced into a 2-0 lead in the first-half against United
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"I don't know. If I knew, I would change it," he said, before delivering a stark assessment of United's immediate future.
"We need to focus on day-by-day, we need to survive this season and then think ahead."
United face a busy week ahead, hosting Ipswich Town on Wednesday before an FA Cup fifth-round clash with Fulham at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The draw leaves United languishing in 15th place in the Premier League table, having won just one of their last five matches.
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Bruno Fernandes helped United fight back with a fine free-kick
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The club's struggles have been particularly evident at Old Trafford, where they have lost five of their last six league games.
United's scoring woes continue to mount, with the team having found the net in the first half just once in their last 11 league matches - a Fernandes penalty against Brighton.
The point at Goodison Park moved United 13 points clear of the relegation zone.
