Manchester United never do things the easy way and they must have aged Ruben Amorim by 10 years.
Amorim was beginning to face questions before Saturday's visit to Goodison Park and the scrutiny on United's head coach will increase after a truly shocking first-half dispay from his team.
Most fans have shown unwavering support for Amorim since his arrival from Sporting Lisbon, but some have questioned whether it was the right decision to appoint him mid-season. It was always going to be difficult for Amorim to change the system during the campaign.
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The players haven't looked comfortable in Amorim's formation, so nobody was surprised by Everton's first half dominance.
The Toffees looked up for the fight from the first whistle and United were second best in every department. They looked timid and threatened by the atmosphere. They couldn't match Everton's desire and that was perhaps the most unforgivable aspect of their display in the first 45 minutes.
Is it time for Amorim to change his system? Those who believe so are shouting even louder and have suggested that might be the sensible option until the end of the season.
However, Amorim has refused to entertain the idea of changing his formation, despite the fact he changed system during the early days of his tenure at Casa Pia when results weren't great.
Desperate times call for desperate measures, but Amorim is sticking to his way and secured a result on Merseyside.
The defending for Everton's first goal was comically bad and Harry Maguire was caught napping for the second. Amorim's system is being questioned, but he can't be blamed for such amateurish defending.
Amorim can take responsibility for not making changes, though. He didn't make a substitution at half-time and, for some reason, waited until the 62 minute to make his first change.
He was set to face tough questions after the final whistle, and then United demonstrated tremendous character to claw their way back into the game in the most unlikely cirumstances.
Bruno Fernandes' free-kick was superb and Manuel Ugarte's finish to make it 2-2 was perfect. Amorim reacted by fist-pumping on the touchline and probably couldn't believe his side had drawn level, as they were hopeless in the first half and leaving with a point seemed unrealistic.
United were drowning in the first half and came back to the surface in the second, which should alleviate the pressure on Amorim and quieten the calls for him to change system.
Whether Amorim should change system ultimately depends on whether Ineos' decision-makers are happy to completely write this season off and accept short-term pain for long-term gain.
Amorim has been dealt an impossible hand this season and can't be judged until 2025/26, as he'll be backed in the summer transfer window with players who are made for his system.
United showed signs of life at Goodison Park and Amorim needs time.
