'In the first half we didn't exist!' - Ruben Amorim gives brutal assessment of 'soft' Man Utd and highlights 'the worst part' of scrappy draw at Everton

The Red Devils went into half-time trailing by two goals after some shoddy defending and it took a wonderful free-kick from Bruno Fernandes for them to get back into the game before Manuel Ugarte scored his first goal for the club to equalise. A hugely entertaining final fixture for United at Goodison Park took two final twists when Everton were awarded a penalty only for VAR to recommend an on-field review by referee Andrew Madley, who ruled it out.

"We didn't exist in the first half. We lost balls that we cannot lose. At half-time I said we are going to do what we did in the week with more energy," Amorim told a press conference.

The coach was disappointed with United's passing and the frequency with which they kept on conceding possession. He told TNT Sports: "We need to win three points and we need to win the whole game. The worst part is that we are losing the ball without pressure and we are not doing what we need to do. We were soft." The Portuguese also said that the officials were right to cancel the late penalty, believing Harry Maguire had not properly fouled Ashley Young. He said: "I think it was a soft touch from what I saw. I think it was a soft penalty, it was clear."

Amorim paid tribute to Everton's fans after United's final game at Goodison Park but he emphasised that United have tended to struggle at many grounds, particularly Old Trafford, where his side have lost five of their last six league games. The Portuguese said: "Their fans are amazing but we are finding it difficult at every stadium. Especially our own."

United moved 13 points above the relegation zone with the draw before taking on relegation-fighting Ipswich at Old Trafford on Wednesday. The manager said this campaign was only about damage limitation now. He added: "We need to survive this season and then we can think ahead. I don't want to just say the negative part. In the second half, we were close to winning this game."