Manchester United's hopes of Champions League football next season suffered another huge blow as Everton romped to a 4-0 win at Goodison Park on Sunday.
Manchester United's hopes of Champions League football next season suffered another huge blow as Everton romped to a 4-0 win at Goodison Park on Sunday.
A sixth defeat in eight games in all competitions for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men means they remain two points adrift of the top four in sixth.
Everton, chasing seventh, which could provide a route into next season's Europa League, made a flying start as Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson struck inside the first 28 minutes.
Lucas Digne's sweet strike and Theo Walcott's goal completed Everton's biggest win over United since 1984.
Solskjaer in his post-match assessment issued an apology to the club and its fans for the loss. “We have got to apologise to the fans,” Solskjaer said. “That performance was not good enough for a Manchester United team - from me to the players.
”We know we let the fans and the club down. That performance is difficult to describe because it was so bad. They beat us on all the basics.
“We were beaten on all the ingredients you need, added to your talent, today. As I said last week as well, there is no place to hide on the pitch. It was 85 minutes before we had a shot on target. It's not good enough. We know that.
“We just got thumped 4-0 and they [the fans] never moaned at our players,” he added. “Which they could have done.
”They have been supportive again and I am sure they will support us on Wednesday night. It is up to us - the players and the staff - to get ourselves ready.“
United could easily fall five points off the Champions League places should Arsenal beat Crystal Palace at home later on Sunday and Chelsea win when they host Burnley on Monday.
Solskjaer's task in turning United's fortunes around does not get any easier as title-chasing Manchester City visit Old Trafford on Wednesday.
(Inputs from AFP)
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 "Ole Gunnar Solskjaer meets Everton players after match against Manchester United")
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