Everton manager Ronald Koeman says Manchester United counterpart Jose Mourinho’s claim that the Goodison Park club are aiming for “at least” the top four this season is unrealistic.<\/p>\n
Mourinho made the observation in his programme notes\u00a0before United’s 4-0 home win\u00a0over the Toffees, citing their \u00a3140m of summer spending as evidence.<\/p>\n
But Koeman said: “Is there anybody who sees this as realistic for Everton?<\/p>\n
“Please, come on. Fans, press – we need time.”<\/p>\n
When asked what he considered to be a realistic target, the Dutchman said: “The same as last season.”<\/p>\n
Everton finished seventh in 2016-17 in the 54-year-old’s first season at the club, eight points adrift of sixth-placed United.<\/p>\n
Everton’s tough start<\/strong><\/p>\n Everton have now lost four games in a row by a combined total of 12 goals to nil and have dropped into the Premier League’s bottom three.<\/p>\n They have failed to score in four consecutive matches in all competitions for the first time since April 2006, including in their\u00a03-0 Europa League defeat against Atalanta on Thursday.<\/p>\n Wayne Rooney is the only player to register a league goal for them, and his last was a first-half effort at Manchester City on 21 August.<\/p>\n “When you look at the fixtures at the start of the season, we knew we wouldn’t win them all,” said Koeman.<\/p>\n ‘A goal to remind me of Maradona’<\/strong><\/p>\n