David Moyes accused Manchester United of “rank and rotten” defending as the Scot endured a hellish return to Goodison Park.
Everton’s easy 2-0 win ended United’s hopes of Champions League qualification with four matches remaining.
Moyes was barracked by the home support throughout and one Everton fan even turned up in a Grim Reaper’s costume to poke fun at the United boss from just behind the dugout.
On the pitch it was a grim day for the United boss as his team suffered their 11th defeat of the season.
Phil Jones blocked Romelu Lukaku's shot with his outstretched arm and Leighton Baines converted the resulting spot-kick before Alex Buttner played Kevin Mirallas onside and the Belgian beat David de Gea from a tight angle.
Positive spin
Moyes tried to put a positive spin on a dreadful defeat, but did not hold back when giving his assessment of his team's defending for both goals.
“I thought the two goals we conceded today were rank, rotten,” the United boss said. “The (first) goal was a big kick up the pitch, it was nodded down and picked up, and for us to concede a goal like that was terrible. The second was a better move but we should have defended it much better that we did.
“We gave away two terrible goals but prior to that we passed the ball brilliantly well, kept the ball, had great control of the game. What we couldn’t do is make enough chances, but we had a great control and we got done by two stupid decisions.”
The result and the performances of both sides showed just how much United have regressed under Moyes and how far Everton have come under his successor Roberto Martinez, who has now collected a record 20 league wins since moving to Goodison Park.
United tested Tim Howard on just two occasions while Everton out-muscled and outclassed their opponents in midfield.
Wayne Rooney had a disappointing afternoon in front of goal ,while Lukaku caused Jonny Evans and Jones problems throughout.
Welbeck speculation
Meanwhile, Moyes insists Danny Welbeck has an important role to play at Manchester United despite speculation the striker wants to leave Old Trafford.
Reports suggest Welbeck has grown tired of a lack of first-team football under Moyes. Welbeck has scored 10 times in 32 United appearances this season, but he apparently has become frustrated at playing out on the wing.
When asked about Welbeck's future following United's 2-0 defeat at Everton, Moyes said: "Danny Welbeck is really important to me and I really value him.
'Really important'
"There have been lots of stories. I can only tell you Danny Welbeck is really important to me and really important to Manchester United."
Welbeck, an academy graduate born in Manchester, came off the bench after 75 minutes at Goodison Park, but could not find the net as United stumbled to their latest defeat of a wretched season.
