Ruben Amorim
Manchester United fall to Nottingham Forest in a 3-2 defeat marked by defensive frailty and individual errors.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim called for patience after his side suffered a 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford against Nottingham Forest. The loss marked back-to-back league defeats for United and highlighted ongoing issues with defensive organization and set-piece vulnerability.
A Frustrating Performance
Forest’s Nikola Milenkovic opened the scoring just two minutes into the game, capitalizing on United’s inability to defend a corner. Goals from Morgan Gibbs-White and Chris Wood compounded United’s woes as Forest exploited set-piece opportunities and defensive lapses.
Bruno Fernandes pulled a goal back in the second half with a tidy finish from an Amad Diallo cutback, briefly raising hopes of a comeback. However, the United captain was substituted 15 minutes from time as Amorim reshuffled his side, citing fatigue.
“It was a tough game. We started both halves poorly,” Amorim told Sky Sports. “It was hard to pass on calmness to the players. We didn’t have much quality, but we showed a lot of heart. Suffering two goals after half-time in this context is very tough.”
Set-Piece Struggles Continue
United’s inability to deal with corners remains a glaring issue, with Milenkovic’s opener marking the third goal they’ve conceded from corners in just two matches. Amorim acknowledged this as an area needing urgent improvement.
“We’ve now conceded three goals from set-pieces in two games,” Amorim said. “It’s a big problem. We need to do better in every aspect of the game to win matches.”
Substitutions and Tactical Adjustments
Amorim defended his decision to take off Fernandes, explaining the need for fresh legs and a different tactical approach.
“Bruno was too tired, and I wanted Mason [Mount] to play that second midfielder role,” Amorim explained. “We brought on Harry Maguire to help with set pieces, and he won all the first balls when he came on. It’s not always about putting in more strikers; it’s about finding the right balance.”
Amorim also noted that managing young talents like Leny Yoro is critical to avoid overburdening them in demanding fixtures.
Building for the Future
The defeat was Amorim’s first at Old Trafford, and while he acknowledged the frustration among fans, he emphasized that rebuilding the team will take time.
“This is not a surprise,” he said. “When you come into a team mid-season, in the middle of so many games, you understand that these moments happen. It’s disappointing for the fans, but we’re here to do the job, and we will improve.”
Looking Ahead
United will need a swift response as they face FC Viktoria Plzeň on Thursday in the UEFA Europa League. With defensive frailties laid bare and confidence fragile, Amorim’s ability to instill cohesion and resilience will be key to turning their season around.
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