Manchester United cannot ignore full-time reactions after Everton defeat

Richarlison started showboating in the 57th minute, almost balancing the ball like a performing seal. Jadon Sancho was too timid and conceded a corner. Harry Maguire urged him to challenge more aggressively.

It is unlikely there is anyone in the current Manchester United squad who has it in them to. Even Dominic Calvert-Lewin, in the first-half so feeble Evertonians must have hoped Duncan Ferguson would replace him, stirred the Gwladys Street End.

Ralf Rangnick sounded like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on the eve of the game, extolling United's training performances this week. True to form, they lost. "That was the worst United team I've ever seen," said a gloating blue.

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As much as United may lament Anthony Gordon's luck, United's lethargy in the move for his winner was the antithesis of the 'aggressive' training sessions Rangnick had purportedly presided over in the week. Nemanja Matic's meek challenge on Alex Iwobi left the ball loose for Gordon's potluck hit. It's the day for it in Liverpool.

United meandered to defeat. When Paul Pogba was denied a foul in the 86th minute, he tossed the ball away. Victor Lindelof screamed at Pogba to retrieve it and place it in the six-yard area to hasten the restart but Pogba did not hear him. Eventually, Juan Mata heard and played ball boy. The Goodison roar can carry across the grass of Stanley Park but it was not that loud.

Cristiano Ronaldo slumped to the turf at full-time. When he did find his feet again, he started hobbling towards the temporary tunnel designated for the visiting team, right by the away section. A red flare was thrown onto the pitch and there was a lot of animated gesturing, as well as some applause, from the demoralised