Manchester United succumbed to a disheartening 3-2 loss at Old Trafford against Nottingham Forest, delivering a harsh reality check to Ruben Amorim. This marked Amorim’s first home defeat as United manager and his second consecutive loss, following a 2-0 reverse at Arsenal midweek. Nikola Milenkovic gave Forest an early lead within two minutes, but Rasmus Hojlund equalised with a clinical poacher’s effort. The second half unraveled for United as they conceded two avoidable goals before Bruno Fernandes smashed one in to spark hopes of a comeback. However, despite increased urgency, United lacked the cutting edge to salvage a point. Here are four key takeaways from the match.
Set-Piece Frailty Exposed Once Again
United’s defensive woes from set-pieces resurfaced alarmingly, with Forest capitalising just 91 seconds into the match. Nikola Milenkovic outmuscled Lisandro Martinez at a corner to open the scoring—a moment emblematic of United’s defensive fragility. It followed two similar goals conceded against Arsenal, highlighting a worrying trend. Forest continued to trouble United from dead-ball situations. Milenkovic rattled the bar with another towering header, and poor marking allowed Murillo a chance that he narrowly missed. Amorim faces a mounting challenge to resolve this glaring weakness, with Bruno Fernandes’ subpar corner deliveries also contributing to the issue. Unless United’s set-piece drills drastically improve, opponents will continue to exploit this vulnerability with ease.
Individual Errors Haunt United
Old Trafford witnessed another comedy of errors as individual mistakes cost United dearly. The second half began disastrously when Morgan Gibbs-White’s speculative strike inexplicably beat Andre Onana, raising questions about the goalkeeper’s decision-making. The blunders continued when Chris Wood’s looping header was inexplicably allowed to drift past Onana and Martinez, exposing a lack of communication and composure. The match ended in farcical fashion as Onana wasted precious seconds at a free-kick, only to send the ball aimlessly upfield. For Amorim, this chaotic performance underscored the bizarre pitfalls of managing United, where lapses in focus can prove costly.
Nuno’s Forest Outshine Amorim’s United
Forest turned the tables on United’s usual hallmark of explosive starts, scoring within two minutes at the beginning of each half. While United recovered well in the first half, equalising through Hojlund’s sharp finish, the second half told a different story. After conceding early, United looked dazed and disorganised, fortunate not to concede further before regaining their composure. Nuno Espírito Santo’s Forest, meanwhile, demonstrated their mettle, having already beaten Liverpool this season. Their fifth-place position is no fluke, and their tactical discipline shone against a disjointed United side.
Where Does Amorim Go From Here?
Amorim has acknowledged the magnitude of the task at hand, but tonight’s defeat highlights the steep climb ahead. While the Arsenal loss could be rationalised as a tough fixture, this result against Forest—a team United are expected to beat—offers a stark reminder of their fragility. With a daunting trip to Manchester City looming, United desperately needed momentum, but this performance leaves little room for optimism. The midweek Europa League clash with Viktoria Plzen now becomes crucial for rebuilding confidence. Yet, the gulf between United and their cross-town rivals remains vast, with little evidence that Amorim’s side can bridge it anytime soon.
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