Manchester United

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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It was interesting to hear Ruben Amorim reject the theory his Manchester United side play in a similar way to Crystal Palace.

That Palace have done well playing a 3-4-3 formation under Oliver Glasner and United have taken so long to adjust to playing to the same system under Amorim is a stick that has frequently been used to beat United's head coach.

Amorim clearly does not see it in quite such simplistic terms.

"You don't say that all 4-3-3s play in the same way, right? We play the different way. You can understand that by data. We defend in a different space; we try to attack in a different way," the Portuguese said.

I take Amorim at his word on that. He is the man who is watching his own side in training every day and analysing the opposition, even if it looks very similar and the wing-backs are clearly key.

However, there is no disagreement over Amorim's pay-off.

"They are just doing things better than us," he said.

Palace have the FA Cup and a European spot to prove it.

Melissa Edwards
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park (kick-off 12:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Matheus Cunha is unavailable this weekend but should return for the following game against West Ham in midweek.

• Elsewhere, Harry Maguire and Benjamin Sesko both need "a little bit more time" with Amorim adding the club are "taking care" of Sesko's injury.

• United have 18 points so far this season but the head coach believes his team are falling short: "If I look at the games we've played, we should have more points. We had control and the advantage in some games and we lost control and that is really disappointing."

• Amorim said it is difficult to narrow down why United have only won one away game in their last 11 league matches, but at the moment his players do not know how to "finish the games in order to win".

• Opponents Palace lost to Strasbourg in the Conference League on Thursday but Amorim does not believe his side have an advantage from playing one game less this week: "I said the same thing last year when we were in Europe and I say the same thing this year: there [is an] advantage and disadvantage of not being in Europe. There are no excuses. We have to always win games."

• On how his side compare to Palace: "They are a different club [to us] and they are doing things better than us so that is quite simple. We play in a different way and they are just doing things better than us. They are doing things really well and they play more in transition than us. We have to look at all of these things when we compare our teams but of course, in every position, we can do so much better."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

You can listen to more from Amorim here

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

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Among many statements Ruben Amorim made during the summer about Manchester United was his belief his squad would benefit from having no European football to get in the way of his work on the training ground.

This could only be for one season, he stressed, because United have to be in Europe - but for this campaign it could be employed as a positive.

Well, coming off the back of that awful performance against Everton on Monday, this is precisely the kind of week he meant.

On Sunday, United head to Crystal Palace and everyone recognises Selhurst Park is a tough place to play.

However, Palace played away from home in Europe on Thursday. Yes, it was only France, but still there was travel involved.

Meanwhile, United have been licking their wounds from the Everton debacle and should be fully motivated.

This is the kind of game where Amorim and his players can really make a free week count.

Manchester United have made contact with the representatives of unsettled Vinicius Jr, and neighbours Manchester City are likely to join them if he decides to leave Real Madrid. (The Daily Briefing, via Caught Offside), external

However, the Brazil forward has moved closer to signing a new contract with the La Liga club after reducing his wage demands. The 25-year-old's current deal runs until June 2027. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

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We asked for your verdict on former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov on the anniversary of his five-goal performance against Blackburn Rovers 15 years ago.

Here are some of your comments:

Gwyneth: I was there that day. He's always a hero to me!

Mark: Good memories of that season 2010-11 and his first year, especially with the famous assist for Ronaldo against West Ham at home in 2008-09. In the six months up to the start of 2010, he missed key chances in games which ultimately meant Chelsea won the league by one point. It was a mixed bag. Not a flop but certainly not in any legends categories.

Tim: Very underrated goalscorer, clever at finding space - a good signing.

Ciaran: Saw him play in a legends match a couple of years ago. The touch and vision were still there. Spent most of the match watching him. Proper Rolls Royce.

Gareth: Total legend - yes he probably didn't run enough, but what a footballer.

Alex: One of my all time favourite United players. I fondly remember him scoring the only goal during a cold December night at Old Trafford against Middlesbrough on my 18th birthday in 2008. Don't forget his famous spin on the line against West Ham too! A legend in my eyes

Nigel: Great player. Skillful and a matchwinner.

Joe Bradshaw
BBC Sport senior journalist

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Dimitar Berbatov scored 56 goals during four eventful seasons at Manchester United.

That included four hat-tricks, three of which came in the 2010-11 season.

Fifteen years ago today, he bagged five goals in a demolition job on Blackburn Rovers as United stormed to a 7-1 victory at Old Trafford.

In doing so, he became only the fourth player to score five in a Premier League game - and it was all the more remarkable because it came after 10 matches without a goal.

The destruction ultimately ended the tenure of Sam Allardyce as Rovers boss, the firm friend of Sir Alex Ferguson effectively a dead man walking after the defeat before finally receiving his P45 a couple of weeks later.

As for Berbatov, having already scored a hat-trick against Liverpool in September, he bagged another treble against Birmingham City in January 2011 on his way to sharing the Premier League Golden Boot that season.

With former team-mate Carlos Tevez, by this point of Manchester City.

What are your memories of Berbatov?

Was he a hit at Old Trafford, or did he not make the grade for you?

Tell us here

Manchester United are one of the clubs linked with Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Elliot Anderson and the Old Trafford club want to add to their wing-back options as well as bring in a central midfielder. (ESPN), external

However, Forest are determined to hold on to Anderson, 23, and will reject any bids for him during the January transfer window. (Mail), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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BBC Radio Manchester's Gaz Drinkwater thinks Ruben Amorim's decision to start Joshua Zirkzee in Monday's defeat against Everton was "atrocious".

Speaking on The Devils' Advocate podcast he co-hosts, Drinkwater said: "At times this season, Benjamin Sesko hasn't played, but we've seen Mason Mount come into the team instead. Admittedly we didn't have [Matheus] Cunha but for me I think that's simple. Bring Mount and Kobbie Mainoo into the starting XI.

"He obviously doesn't see Mainoo as a midfielder because he can't get in the team in that position. Amorim sees him as a number 10 or maybe even a false-nine type player where maybe they [the front three] interchange a bit.

"I don't understand the logic of bringing in a totally cold Joshua Zirkzee into the game, who has basically had zero minutes this season and he did nothing. I'm not blaming it all on one player because I don't think he should've even been selected.

"It was just atrocious."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

Everton boss David Moyes wants to hang on to English midfielder James Garner amid interest from Manchester United, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest in the 24-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of the season. (Talksport), external

United also want to sign a new centre-back next summer but would still like experienced England defender Harry Maguire, 32, to sign a contract extension at Old Trafford. (Teamtalk), external

Finally, Roma are interested in taking Netherlands striker Joshua Zirkzee, 24, on loan from Old Trafford in January. (Il Messaggero - in Italian), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Alex Turk
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

It is a tale as old as time when it comes to the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era at Manchester United.

A golden opportunity to establish themselves in the Champions League conversation arises. Other clubs are dropping points left, right and centre.

What happens next is depressingly predictable...

United's current fixture schedule is apparently the 'easiest' among Premier League clubs.

The truth is, the concept of a straightforward task doesn't exist any more. Monday's embarrassment against Everton confirmed that.

I'm not here to provide a match report, though. No-one needs that. Let's lament one of Ruben Amorim's biggest problems that isn't going away.

United cannot win football matches when they have more of the ball. They were incapable of breaking down defences last season and that hasn't changed.

Idrissa Gueye's bizarre early red card actually worked against United for that reason. If it wasn't a 1-0 defeat, it would have been a 0-0 draw.

A David Moyes low block with talented forwards playing on the break is Amorim's worst nightmare.

And he didn't help himself. Two full-backs at wing-back at home against Everton? Really?

His decision to stick with what wasn't working when it became 11 vs 10 spun heads in the Stretford End.

Patrick Dorgu doesn't have the final-third quality required yet and Noussair Mazraoui isn't an attacking player - and nor were the goalkeeper, three centre-backs and defensive midfielder that made up 64% of United's team.

Mason Mount should have replaced Mazraoui before Gueye reached the dressing room, not at half-time.

As every minute passed, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko's absences were felt even harder.

United's upcoming fixtures are far from favourable, and Afcon will soon snatch Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo, two of Amorim's few players who can create moments of magic.

Another woeful winter could be on the agenda.

Find more from Alex Turk at Turk Talks FC, external

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

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Manchester United went into the game against Everton unbeaten in five matches, but that mini-revival came to a juddering halt as they set an unwanted new record.

It is the first time the Red Devils have lost a Premier League home game despite their opponents having a player sent off. United had won 36 and drawn 10 of 46 previous such fixtures.

It is all the more damning that Idrissa Gueye's red card came so early in the match – Ruben Amorim's side had an extra man for 77 minutes but failed to make it count.

But credit is also due to the Merseysiders for making light of their numerical disadvantage. It is the first time they have won a top-flight game after having a player dismissed in the opening 45 minutes since August 2006.

David Moyes was also the manager for that game, a 2-0 victory at Tottenham in which Kevin Kilbane was given his marching orders in the 33rd minute.

We asked for your views on Manchester United 1-0 defeat to Everton in Monday's Premier League game.

Jonathan: Is Amorim the most stubborn manager ever in the Premier League? He refuses to take any accountability for his negative approach to the game and substitutes which contributed to an embarrassing defeat!

Mel: As a Manchester United fan I am sadly not surprised at what is happening here. These players do not deserve to wear the United shirts - no effort tonight whatsoever. A disgrace.

Rod: Time for a change of manager again. To play five at the back against 10 men when chasing a game is ridiculous!

Harry: I will say Amorim bears some responsibility here, but it has to be noted that you absolutely cannot have all those shots and possession and fail to convert. With all that considered I don't think we can gloss over how absolutely abysmal the players were in front of goal.

Sam: United were so poor tonight. Not enough attacking opportunities created. Moving the ball slowly and sideways against 10 men shows the lack of confidence and creativity. Just lofting the ball in the box is not tactical at this level.

Bogdan: United seem to simply be sticking because they are so scared of twisting. I think last season was the first time we saw them permanently drop a level, until then they were usually in the Champions League/ Europa League every year.

Gary: No excuse for the poor performance from the United team. We had no urgency in the game, no running at the defenders, in fact no running. You would have never seen that being allowed by Sir Alex Ferguson. Amorim is out of his depth, time for him to go!

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt says "it is really important to bounce back" from their defeat and flat performance against 10-man Everton when they travel to face Crystal Palace on Saturday.

United dominated possession and the shot count, but other than one outstanding save from Jordan Pickford, the Everton keeper was otherwise not tested.

"A really bad night for us, especially the way we played against 10 men," said De Ligt. "We conceded one goal, we didn't create a lot of chances.

"Overall, just a really bad performance.

"The next game, obviously, is really important now. We have to bounce back from this performance.

"We had some good performances over the last couple of weeks, and now we had a bad one.

"Now, it's for us to come back, to stay together and to make clear what has to be better.

"We lacked maybe the urgency to score the goals, to create the chances - and then you know against a team like Everton, who drop back and are really strong in the air, it's going to be quite difficult.

"That basically sums up the night."

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

On the one-year anniversary of his first match in charge of Manchester United, this night underlines why, for all the improvement this season, Ruben Amorim still has some way to go to get close to the levels of consistency he demands.

Defeat brought his side's five-match unbeaten run to an end and triggered sustained boos at the final whistle.

Facing 10 men and with a chance to move into the Champions League places in the table, the home side needed to be calm and secure in possession - but they were the opposite.

Joshua Zirkzee, who was ineffective as starting replacement for injured pair Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko, gave the ball away needlessly more than once. He was not on his own though, as Patrick Dorgu and Leny Yoro also lost possession under no pressure as United tried to build attacking momentum.

United's most reliable attacking players, Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes, tested Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and substitute Mason Mount came close with a curling effort.

But it was not until Zirkzee sent a header goalwards 11 minutes from full-time, from Luke Shaw's cross, that Pickford was called into an action that could not be classed as routine.

Matthijs de Ligt scored an injury-time equaliser at Tottenham a fortnight ago, but when United's last chance offered the Dutchman an opportunity to repeat, there was not enough power for his shot to cause Pickford any worry.

Brazil forward Vinicius Junior, 25, has told Real Madrid he does not intend to renew his contract which expires in the summer of 2027, because of a strained relationship with manager Xabi Alonso. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Manchester United, Liverpool and several other Premier League clubs are keeping a keen eye on Vinicius' situation. (Mirror), external

Meanwhile, Wolves and Brazil midfielder Joao Gomes, 24, has had his head turned by Manchester United's interest in him and would be keen on a January move. (Teamtalk), external

And finally, United and Chelsea have both scouted RB Leipzig and Germany midfielder Assan Ouedraogo, 19. (Sky Sports Germany - in German), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has been speaking to Sky Sports about the defeat at Old Trafford: "I'm feeling really frustrated, like any other person that supports Manchester United. We should be frustrated with the way we started the game and the way we didn't understand how we should play against 10 men. They deserved to win. We had a lot of chances in the second half through crosses and second balls, but the quality and decision-making wasn't there. Everton were the better team.

"After the sending off, I was expecting us to have long periods of possession and to push the opponent. We didn't control the transitions, even with 10 men. We were giving them big spaces to win second balls, so the understanding of every situation in the game was not there.

"The quality around the box is another big thing, but more importantly it was the intensity we showed. We cannot win games in this way."

On whether the performance surprised him after a good run of form: "Of course it did. I understand that we still have a lot to do, but I'm really frustrated with how we handled the game. Especially knowing that we were playing at home, knowing what happened to the other clubs, looking at the table and feeling everything.

"The way we presented ourselves in the first minute of the game is really frustrating. We dropped the level."

• Hear more from Amorim on BBC Sounds

Did you know?

• Manchester United have lost a Premier League game at Old Trafford after seeing the opposition pick up a red card for the first time ever - winning 36 and drawing 10 of the previous 46 occasions.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Man Utd's performance

What did you make of Everton's display?

Come back on Tuesday for a selection of your replies

Joshua Zirkzee starts for the first time this season for Manchester United as Matheus Cunha misses out after suffering a blow to the head in training.

The incident forced the Brazil international to pull out of switching on the Altrincham Christmas lights on Saturday.

Benjamin Sesko is out with a knee injury, so 18-year-old forward Shea Lacey is named on the bench for the first time.

Leny Yoro replaces Harry Maguire in defence while Lisandro Martinez returns to Ruben Amorim's squad for the first time since February after major knee surgery.

Manchester United XI: Lammens, Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw, Mazraoui, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu, Amad, Mbeumo, Zirkzee.

Substitutes: Bayindir, Dalot, Martinez, Mount, Malacia, Ugarte, Heaven, Mainoo, Lacey.

Veteran Everton skipper Seamus Coleman returns to David Moyes' side in the only change to the team that beat Fulham 2-0 a fortnight ago.

Tim Iroegbunam drops to the bench as Everton look for their first away win since August.

Everton XI: Pickford, Garner, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko, Coleman, Gueye, Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish, Barry.

Substitutes: Travers, King, McNeil, Beto, O'Brien, Dibling, Alcaraz, Aznou, Iroegbunam.