The National Times - 'Soft' Man Utd have to survive this season, says Amorim

United looked destined for a ninth defeat in 13 Premier League games when goals from Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure gave Everton a deserved half-time lead.

However, captain Bruno Fernandes inspired a fightback from the visitors to at least prevent another defeat for Amorim's men.

Fernandes curled in a free-kick with United's first shot on target on 72 minutes.

Manuel Ugarte levelled shortly afterwards after another Fernandes set-piece delivery was only partially cleared.

United, though, were fortunate to escape Goodison Park with a point as Everton had a penalty controversially ruled out after a VAR review in stoppage time.

The Red Devils remain down in 15th, but are 13 points clear of the bottom three and should be safe from the embarrassment of relegation.

"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", said Amorim, who has taken just 15 points from a possible 45 since taking charge in November.

"In this moment, we need to focus on day-by-day. 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."

In contrast to United's struggles under new management, David Moyes' return has propelled Everton towards safety.

The Toffees were in a relegation battle when the former United boss returned last month, but they have taken 14 points from the last six games to surge up to 12th.

Moyes was disappointed not to take all three points after a dominant first half but gave credit for the manner in which Fernandes helped turned the tide after the break.

"We should have been probably three up, I think if we'd been three up we wouldn't be shamed by that at all," said the Scot.

"To go 2-0 up was great, but 2-0 is always a dangerous position to be in as a manager. Manchester United have got nothing to lose but to come in and have a go.

"I don't think it was as much as what we lacked, I thought Bruno played well. They dropped him deeper and he got on the ball much more and we found that a bit more difficult to deal with at the time."

Moyes, though, was left baffled at the late decision to instruct referee Andy Madley to review his on-field award of a penalty when Ashley Young was pulled back by a combination of Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt.

"I thought the on-field decision looked the correct decision," added Moyes.

"I'm a bit surprised he was asked to go to VAR because I thought that it looked difficult to change your mind on that.

"But I think when they go to VAR you very rarely get them to change their mind. It's as if they think on-pitch, the people who are seeing it on the television see much more and understand more."

K.M.Thompson--TNT