Everton manager David Moyes unleashed his frustration after his side’s narrow 0-1 defeat to Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium on February 23, 2026, with reports suggesting the boss couldn’t hold back in ripping into midfielder Idrissa Gueye whose poor display directly contributed to the decisive goal.
The match saw Everton dominate large spells, particularly in the second half, creating pressure through set pieces and showing real spirit against Michael Carrick’s improving United side. They bossed possession at times, hit the woodwork, and looked set for a hard-fought point—or even more—until it unraveled in the 72nd minute. A swift counter-attack caught the Toffees off guard: Matheus Cunha’s long ball found Bryan Mbeumo in space, and Gueye was caught out of position in midfield, failing to close down the supply or track the run, allowing the lay-off to substitute Benjamin Sesko, who smashed home clinically—his third goal in four games as a super-sub.
Moyes, visibly disappointed post-match, highlighted the defensive lapse that handed United the points. While he praised his team’s overall effort—”Generally we did very well in lots of bits… We put in a great effort”—he pointed to the moment they “got done on the counterattack” and weren’t organized well enough off the ball. Sources close to the club indicate the manager was particularly furious in the dressing room, directing sharp criticism at Gueye for switching off and leaving gaps, calling the error “unforgivable” and one that “cost us everything.”
This outburst comes amid Everton’s ongoing home struggles, now seven games without a win at their new ground. Fans and pundits have echoed Moyes’ frustration, noting midfield lapses like Gueye’s have undermined solid team performances. The defeat leaves Everton still searching for consistency, while United climbed back into the top four.
Is this the wake-up call Everton need? Moyes’ no-nonsense approach—singling out Gueye—could spark the response required to turn dominance into results. The Blues showed they can compete with top sides—now they must eliminate those costly midfield moments. With tougher fixtures ahead, the dressing-room fire from their manager might just be the spark to ignite a revi
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