Man Utd lost 0-1 to Everton, De Ligt criticized tactics.
After losing 0-1 at Old Trafford to Everton, who played with 10 men for over 80 minutes, Man Utd were criticized by Matthijs de Ligt for 38 crosses and for their approach of playing to exploit the opponent's strengths.
Manchester United lost 0-1 at Old Trafford to Everton despite playing with ten men for over 80 minutes, marking the first time in Premier League history they have lost to a team with 10 men at home. After the match, center-back Matthijs de Ligt publicly criticized the team's approach under manager Ruben Amorim, emphasizing that Man Utd had "played to Everton's strengths".
The crucial moment: 10 people, a leaderboard, and a blue wall.
Everton took an early lead and were reduced to ten men, but they dropped deep and defended with concentration. Man Utd were drawn into a game of crosses and headers, a tactic that perfectly suited Everton's central defenders. The 38 crosses reflected the home team's lack of creative ideas.
Tactics: 38 crosses and overlooked space.
In a defensive formation, a constant cross is only effective when the attacking team has enough players in the penalty area and the attackers have good positioning. Man Utd lacked both. The space between Everton's lines was rarely exploited by well-timed central combinations or individual breakthroughs, resulting in the ball being passed to the flanks and then returned to the penalty area by inertia.
This pattern further benefits Everton, as their central defenders, with their aerial prowess, read the situation early and clear the ball decisively. Instead of diversifying their play with one-two passes in the defensive flanks, stretching the defensive block to create space for low crosses or second balls, Man Utd continued to opt for long balls – an option they themselves lacked the personnel to finish.
Voices from the dressing room
Speaking on MUTV, Matthijs de Ligt frankly stated: “From our side, the team didn’t do enough. We didn’t make enough runs or get players into the box. They are strong in aerial duels, so we didn’t have players to score from there. Basically, we played to their strengths. The team lacked the desire to make a difference in the most crucial moments.”
These observations expose two core problems: an approach that is out of context and ineffective possession of the penalty area. Without accurate runs and reliable targets within the 5.5-meter box, each cross becomes a predictable play.
Key developments from a tactical perspective.
After taking the lead but playing with ten men, Everton dropped deep, maintaining a tight formation, accepting possession and waiting for clearances up front. Man Utd responded by controlling possession and moving the ball wide, but lacked the runs to cut behind the full-backs or draw the opposing center-backs out of dangerous areas to create opportunities for low shots. Potential chances therefore often ended in aimless crosses.
The figure of 38 crosses is not just a statistic, but an indicator of a single-line attacking plan. Without adjustments to bring more attackers into the penalty area or redirect exploitation through the center, Everton's 10-11 advantage was neutralized.
The pressure is mounting on Ruben Amorim.
The 0-1 defeat against Everton, who played with ten men for over 80 minutes, is another unwanted record under manager Ruben Amorim. The lack of appropriate adjustments when opponents sit deep has cost Man Utd dearly, and the pressure to find solutions to the deadlock – particularly in controlling the penalty area and diversifying options to break down the low defensive block – is mounting for the Portuguese manager.
De Ligt's message was clear: when the game map demands patience and sharpness in the box, Man Utd need more than just crosses. They need players making runs, players who are in the right place at the right time in the penalty area, and an attacking plan that knows how to draw opponents out of their comfort zone.
