‘We did not exist’ – what Ruben Amorim told Manchester United players at half-time vs Everton

Man United were 2-0 down after 70 minutes but drew level and secured an unlikely point against Everton at Goodison Park.

Ruben Amorim claims Manchester United “didn’t exist” during the first half against Everton.

United trailed 2-0 at half-time in their final game at Goodison Park but scored twice in eight second-half minutes to secure an improbable draw.

Bruno Fernandes gave United hope with a 72nd-minute free kick before Manuel Ugarte’s proficient volley levelled the contest. United remain 15th in the Premier League ahead of the visit of 18th-placed Ipswich Town on Wednesday night.

Ipswich have not won at Old Trafford since 1984 and Amorim admitted he is “worried” about the upcoming games.

“We didn’t exist in the first half,” Amorim said. “Everything we did during the week – I think the free man was there, I think the space was there, I think we lose balls we cannot lose.

“And the second half, I said no matter what, we are going to do what we did during the week but with a little bit more energy. I think you saw that it was not different in the position, it was different in the quality we play the game.

“I know that every game has a history, so in that moment (at half-time) I just focus on trying to help my players. Now I am going to be worried when I see the games and try to prepare the next game. But at half-time, I just focus on trying to help the team.

“I see what players saw and they know and what people see. We lost a lot of balls without any pressure. We have free men, sometimes we don’t respect the positioning and anyone who watched a little bit of Everton in this field, they will be really good on second balls and the two goals are second balls, fighting in the air. That’s why you get disappointed.

“We didn’t play first half. But it’s a good thing that in the second half they play in the same position with more energy, more quality and that makes the difference.

“If you see the first plays, we lose some passes and some plays, we lose the ball and have transitions against us. When we are alone in small things, it takes confidence to play.

“And then in the second half we start the game in a different way, controlling the game, pushing the opponent and the team feel a little bit more confident. Maybe because they have nothing to lose but we need to perform in a better way, especially in the first half. We didn’t exist in the first half.”

Everton were retrospectively denied an added-time penalty after referee Andrew Madley initially adjudged Harry Maguire to have pulled down Ashley Young.

Madley was advised to consult the pitchside monitor by the VAR Matthew Donohue and overturned his original decision. Amorim felt it would have been harsh to have upheld the original call.

“It was a little bit of a soft touch,” he added. “And we are in England, so you guys enjoy a lot the physicality of the game. I think it was clear to overturn the decision.”