Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim admitted his team is nowhere near fighting for the best positions in the Premier League after the loss against Everton. The Red Devils suffered a 1-0 loss against 10-man Everton despite playing at home at Old Trafford on Monday.

Idrissa Gueye was sent off after just 13 minutes for slapping teammate Michael Keane but United could not take the advantage of one man down.

Amorim admitted he is afraid that United will fall to new lows of the previous season after this loss against David Moyes’ team.

“We are not there, not even near the point that we should be to fight for the best positions in the league,” said Amorim. “These five weeks everyone is praising our evolution. I’m always saying the same things. We are not even near what the moment we’re supposed to be in this club.

“I feel afraid of returning to this feeling of last season. That is my biggest concern.”

The Portuguese manager said the team lacked fight on the pitch and even downplayed the altercation between Gueye and Keane.

“Fighting is not a bad thing,” said Amorim. “Fighting doesn’t mean that they don’t like each other. Fighting is that you lose the ball, I will fight you because we will suffer a goal. That was my feeling when I watched.

“I hope my players, when they lose the ball, they fight each other. That is a good feeling, not a bad feeling

“Again, my players show in many games that we can do it. Today, we didn’t. We are going to be better in the future. Today, we are really frustrated.

“We have training tomorrow and we are going to prepare for the next one.”

United will next travel to Crystal Palace on Sunday.