Phil Jagielka says Everton will have to wise up fast if they are to avoid another defeat.
Captain Jagielka and his shell-shocked Blues are on the ropes after successive domestic losses to Tottenham and Chelsea.
The 3-0 Europa League drubbing by Atalanta on Thursday completed a hat-trick of heavy defeats — all without scoring a single goal.
Everton’s demoralised defence now face former team-mate Romelu Lukaku on Sunday, with the £75million Manchester United hitman on a red-hot run of six goals in his last four games for club and country.
As he prepared to try tackling the Belgian, Jagielka admitted: “It’s not ideal, facing him at this time. But if we play as we have lately, it won’t take a high standard of player to out-perform us — let alone Romelu.
“We must get ourselves together quickly.
"We’ve had a debrief about Atalanta, but, regardless of that, even if we’d have won 3-0, it would still be a tough game for us at United. And given the state of play of these last couple of games, we’ve just made it a bit more difficult.”
Jagielka gave a brutal assessment of their debacle at Atalanta, saying: “I don’t know what word to use, ‘disappointed’ or ‘embarrassed’. We knew it was going to be difficult, but we were absolutely played off the park in the first half.
“We have to provide a reaction at United, but, first, we need to look at ourselves in the mirror and then pull our finger out.”
Speaking about the travelling Everton fans’ angry reaction out in Italy, Jagielka said: “I can understand why the fans turned on the team yes, massively.
“They weren’t doing it because they don’t like the players out there – it was just sheer frustration.
“Where we were wasn’t the easiest to get to. It’s expensive, so I can understand their feelings. So, now it’s up to us to make sure the passion and performance is there.”
EVERTON midfielder Idrissa Gueye has agreed terms on a new three-year deal.
The 27-year-old moved to Goodison from Aston Villa for £7million last season and has quickly established himself.
Both Manchester United and Arsenal kept tabs on him last term. But Everton will tie down tough-tackling Gueye, who has 45 Senegal caps, with improved terms.