Ronald Koeman offers stern response to Jose Mourinho’s ‘unrealistic’ comments about Everton

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Everton lost 4-0 to Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.

Everton boss Ronald Koeman has told BBC Sport that Jose Mourinho’s comments about the Toffees targeting a top four spot were ‘unrealistic’.

Everton travelled to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon as they searched for a much-needed boost having lost 3-0 to both Tottenham and Atalanta in the previous eight days.

However, it goes even worse for Everton as they lost 4-0 at Old Trafford, with Antonio Valencia, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, ex-Everton striker Romelu Lukaku and Anthony Martial all finding the back of the net.

Everton players look dejected against Manchester United

After Valencia’s opening goal on four minutes, it took United until the 83^rd minute to find the second goal, and Everton completely collapsed from then as Jose Mourinho’s men ran riot late on.

The defeat means Everton have lost their last three Premier League games, and sit in the bottom three having claimed just four points from five games in a surprisingly poor start to the campaign.

Having splashed the cash over the summer on Jordan Pickford, Michael Keane, Davy Klaassen, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Sandro Ramirez, Nikola Vlasic and Wayne Rooney, Everton were expected to challenge under Koeman, but performances this season have been disappointing.

In Mourinho’s programme notes before Sunday’s clash, he suggested that Everton’s spending suggests that they should be targeting a top four finish this season, rather than just hovering outside the top six.

However, Koeman has hit back, telling BBC Sport that a top four challenge simply isn’t realistic, and pleaded with fans for time after a poor run of results heaped the pressure on the Dutchman.

“Is there anybody who sees this as realistic for Everton?” said Koeman. “Please, come on. Fans, press – we need time. When you look at the fixtures at the start of the season, we knew we wouldn’t win them all.”

“We have played Manchester City, United and Chelsea away, plus Tottenham at home. Four title contenders, with the Europa League in between. Now we have four games at home in different competitions and we need to win. If you don’t win it is better to stop,” he added.