New Delhi: Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United tenure continues to face growing pains as he continues to be baptized with fire.A rearguard disaster saw Nottingham Forest claim a historic 3-2 victory at Old Trafford. The match underscored United’s vulnerability in set-piece situations and left Amorim contemplating his team’s shortcomings both tactically and individually as they lost at home to Nottingham Forest for the first time in 30 years.
United’s defensive woes began as early as the second minute, with Nikola Milenkovic rising unchallenged to meet Elliot Anderson’s corner. André Onana, alongside Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martínez, was left standing in their positions as Forest capitalized on United’s inability to defend dead-ball situations which has led to three consecutive goals scored against them over two games.
The manager’s team selection raised eyebrows yet again. Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee, instrumental in United’s 4-0 thrashing of Everton last week, were omitted for the second consecutive match, with Rasmus Højlund and Alejandro Garnacho preferred in attack. Højlund’s missed header from point-blank range early on epitomized United’s wastefulness in front of goal. Though the equalizer eventually came, crafted through Manuel Ugarte’s precise pass to Garnacho and finished by Højlund on the rebound, the performance lacked cohesion.
As the second half unfolded, United’s defensive lapses compounded their problems. A poorly executed pass from captain Bruno Fernandes, intended for Leny Yoro, was intercepted by Callum Hudson-Odoi. The resulting move saw Morgan Gibbs-White’s curling shot elude Onana, whose positioning and reaction were again under scrutiny. Forest’s third goal highlighted further chaos at the back, with Chris Wood heading home after a simple delivery from Gibbs-White.
VICTORY AT OLD TRAFFORD. 😍 pic.twitter.com/VjPy0NPIRC
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) December 7, 2024
Amorim responded by introducing Rashford for Garnacho, a change that provided immediate dividends. Fernandes, United’s standout performer, executed a brilliant volleyed pass to find Amad Diallo in Forest’s area. Diallo returned the ball, and Fernandes pirouetted before slotting home a superb goal to give United hope. Yet, despite late pressure and the introduction of Zirkzee alongside Rashford and Højlund, United couldn’t muster a third goal.
The match left lingering questions about Amorim’s decision-making and his team’s mental resilience. His pre-match remarks about United not being a “massive team” seem prophetic, as they continue to struggle for consistency and composure. Defensive leaders like De Ligt and Martínez failed to inspire confidence, while Onana’s repeated errors further undermined the team. Amorim’s task grows tougher as United suffer back-to-back defeats following their midweek loss at Arsenal.
The team’s inability to capitalize on early dominance or rectify their set-piece vulnerabilities casts doubt over their ability to compete at the highest level. With United now mid-table in the Premier League, the road ahead looks arduous, requiring both tactical adjustments and a renewed focus on discipline and execution. Forest, meanwhile, were impressive, with Gibbs-White and Milenkovic delivering standout performances. For United, the defeat serves as another reminder of their struggles and the growing pains under Amorim’s stewardship.
Player of the Match
Morgan Gibbs-White’ game by numbers vs. Man Utd:
47 touches
5 duels won
2 successful take-ons
2 touches in opp. box
2 shots
1 foul won
1 chance created
1 goal
1 assist #MUNNFO pic.twitter.com/aWEo2ZDldB
— Everything About Football⚽ (@JoshCla17226805) December 7, 2024
While several players stood out in Nottingham Forest’s impressive victory, none shone brighter than Morgan Gibbs-White, who delivered a match-winning performance that proved pivotal in their 3-2 triumph over Manchester United. His blend of creativity, work rate, and composure made him a clear choice for our Man of the Match. Gibbs-White was instrumental in Forest’s attacking success, contributing a goal and an assist to cap off a stellar display.
Early in the second half, he showcased his clinical edge, curling a well-placed shot past André Onana to restore Forest’s advantage. His contribution didn’t end there as seven minutes later, he turned from scorer to provider as he lofted in a delicious cross into the Manchester United penalty box that was met by Chris Wood who scored a wonderful looping header to extend Forest’s lead.
Beyond his direct contributions, Gibbs-White worked tirelessly to link midfield and attack. With 47 touches, he was consistently involved in Forest’s buildup play, completing two passes into the final third and creating one key chance for his teammates. His defensive contribution was equally impressive, making five recoveries to help his side hold their shape against late United pressure.
Nottingham Forest earn a historic win over Manchester United as they beat the Red Devils at the iconic Old Trafford for the first time in 30 years. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
