We knew exactly what we were going to get, yet it still hurts.
This match went as most predicted as Forest and ex-Red Anthony Elanga get the 1-0 victory over Ruben's Reds. Nuno Espirito Santo becomes the first Forest manager to do the double over United since the legendary Brian Clough in the 83/84 season. Another feather in the cap of the Portuguese manager.
As for our Portuguese manager, there were aspects of this performance that would've encouraged him however, with the return of the same issues we've had all season, he will most definitely be upset with his players in what was a game where they did more than enough to at least earn a point.
It started off in the worst manner for the visitors as a familiar face in Elanga gave Forest the lead. After a clearance from United's corner, the ball came to the Swede who displayed his amazing pace, good strength, and composure to run from box-to-box and slot the ball into the bottom corner.
In this piece of play, he displayed everything United need in a wide player.
For United though, it was yet another poor goal to concede, one that was very similar to last season's encounter between the sides at Old Trafford. That time it was Taiwo Awoniyi who ended up scoring.
We're not learning from over a year ago.
Despite the worst possible start and playing into Forest's hands though, United were the better side playing with a lot more control particularly in that first half.
The way we moved the ball around at times was inspiring. There was a move where United worked the ball out of a tight space from the left-back position and ended up causing Forest problems in attack. Dorgu's cross had to be collected by Matz Sels otherwise Garnacho would've had a tap-in.
Amorim saw his side have a lot of the ball and in the final third but with no real cutting edge. If his team were to score, it was going to come from a set-piece although with that goal, there was the ever-present danger that we could get caught on the break.
But it was from a corner that we had our best chance as Dalot got his head to the ball from the front post only to see it come off the bar.
That was as good as it got for the away side before halftime.
The United boss then made a second half change with Hojlund coming on for Ugarte. Bruno dropped deeper with Zirkzee moving to number 10 and the Dane going up front giving us what we've been seeing in recent weeks.
Yet it was Nuno's players who came out the more energetic as they started off the second period the brighter with Elanga being a constant threat.
United then started to control the game again as Forest looked to be tiring towards the end of the match. In spite of this and United making more attacking changes, we failed to truly create anything to trouble the goalkeeper.
Amorim got desperate and substituted Maguire on as striker in the hopes of salvaging something.
It almost worked as he saw an opportunity cleared off the line in the last minute which would've given us the deserved draw.
We didn't get that goal and ultimately, got nothing from a game that had a lot of promise.
That is where the disappointment lies for us all as we saw in this match, something to work towards but when you are wasteful, don't create too many clear-cut chances and concede stupid goals, you always leave yourself open for defeat.
Forest also played on Saturday night and went all the way to penalties and were without two of their better players in Callum Hudson-Odoi and Chris Wood yet United failed to take advantage of that.
To not get anything after conceding so early will be another disappointment for Amorim.
Ratings
Onana - 5.5
Yoro - 6.5 MOTM
De Ligt - 6
Mazraoui - 6
Dalot - 6
Ugarte - 6
Casemiro - 6
Dorgu - 4
Bruno - 5
Garnacho - 4
Zirkzee - 5
Hojlund - 5
Eriksen - 5
Mount - 5
Maguire - 6
Ruben Amorim - 5
Final Thoughts
A very frustrating game. We should've gotten at least a draw but when you don't take your chances, this is what happens.
I actually think Amorim messed up with his selection as well. We had a good thing going with Hojlund, Zirkzee and Garnacho as the front three with Bruno in that deeper position. I wasn't opposed to Casemiro and Ugarte but I do think he made a little too many changes that disrupted that rhythm we had prior to the break.
The substitutions (other than Maguire) made no impact either but when it comes to selfishness, sloppiness and wastefulness, those things aren't on the manager. We know that these players are inconsistent but considering how we played in our previous few matches, this type of performance was so deflating.
Onto the derby next.
Background Image: Nottingham Forest 1-0 Man Utd | Image via Manchester United official X (@ManUtd)