Marouane Fellaini was very much the villain for Manchester United against Everton.
The Belgian was introduced with five minutes remaining with his side leading through Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s first-half strike.
Moments later, Fellaini clumsily brought down Idrissa Gueye in the box and Everton were level.
Another two points dropped for Jose Mourinho’s side as they fell 13 points adrift of Chelsea at the top of the league and fingers were being pointed at the afro-haired midfielder.
In truth, it was a match in which they dominated and should have earned all three points – but for Fellaini’s idiocy.
We’ve all seen his stupid tackle on Gueye but a video has emerged on Twitter demonstrating just how awful he was. The clip, which lasts for 44 seconds, shows Fellaini just generally having a bit of a nightmare.
First up with his challenge on the Everton midfielder in the penalty box as Leighton Baines stuck away the penalty.
Then came a humorous moment as Mason Holgate sliced a clearance, leaving Fellaini spinning around, very confused as to where the ball was.
And then came an awful pass. With time running out and with the ball in the Everton penalty area, Fellaini attempted to find Marcus Rashford on the left-wing. However, the Belgian could only pass the ball straight into touch and effectively end United’s last opportunity.
Take a look as his terrible cameo:
Never change @Fellaini… pic.twitter.com/32MLeXVtX4
— TerryAFC⭐ (@TerryAFCx) December 4, 2016
When asked why he brought Fellaini on, Mourinho explained it was Everton’s direct style that forced him to.
“Everton is not the passing team anymore, like they were, Everton is a team that plays direct, everything is direct, goalkeeper: direct, Ashley Williams: direct, Funes Mori: direct, everything is direct,” he said.
“And when a team is losing and plays direct, intensifies the direct football, and when you have a player on the bench with two metres you play the player in front of the defensive line to help the team to the match.”
“Everton is not the passing team anymore, like they were, Everton is a team that plays direct, everything is direct, goalkeeper: direct, Ashley Williams: direct, Funes Mori: direct, everything is direct.
“And when a team is losing and plays direct, intensifies the direct football, and when you have a player on the bench with two metres you play the player in front of the defensive line to help the team to the match.”
Fellaini’s error means that United have a lot of catching up to do if they want to achieve Champions League qualification this season – let alone have title aspirations.
They are now nine points behind Liverpool and Manchester City in third and fourth respectively, giving United very little space for any more slip-ups.
They desperately need to beat Tottenham at Old Trafford on Sunday, knowing a loss could see them too far adrift to qualify for next season’s Champions League via their league position at this early stage.