As Man Utd returned to Premier League football after a long international break, they were unable to break down a stubborn Nottingham Forest block and lost 1-0.
Nottingham Forest took their time with dead ball situations and were there usually solid selves relying on counter-attacks to threaten Man Utd.
It’s just a shame for the Red Devils that the goal scored was by a former Man Utd player in Anthony Elanga, rubbing salt into the wounds.
Though the performance was improved in parts, Man Utd found it difficult to break Nottingham Forest down and bar a late rally with Harry Maguire thrown up top, didn’t create enough clear cut chances with poor decisions in the final third.
Here are five things we learnt from the trip to the City Ground:
1) Good Opening 45
It feels like when we mention a positive for Man Utd this season we’re scraping the barrel, but just as the commentators suggested, Man Utd were good vs a team who are 3rd in the league for 45 minutes.
Man Utd held the ball well, found space in wide positions to make Nuno Santo move to a back five and penned Nottingham Forest in for most of the first half, they just couldn’t find a goal and conceded to Anthony Elanga on the counter-attack.
There wasn’t enough clear cut chances created, but the press and winning the ball back was much improved but it feels as though Man Utd are a team that scores such little goals, if it isn’t against a relegation candidate you feel they’ll have to score first.
The main aim from now until the end of the season when Man Utd aren’t playing in the Europa League is for the players to get comfortable with Amorim’s principles and execute them.
There was patterns and moves where you could say this was happening and Man Utd were getting into the final third
More chances created are absolutely needed but the first half was an encouraging opening 45 minutes.
2) Lack of Cutting Edge
Following on from the point above, when Man Utd had the ball wide, the amount of poor crosses was astounding.
Apart from the last 15 minutes when Harry Maguire went up front and Man Utd pushed on.
Amorim’s system is meant to compliment the wide forwards and wide full-backs, the problem was whenever Patrick Dorgu, Alejandro Garnacho or Diogo Dalot got into a crossing position, the delivery was flat or poor.
The irony is when the ball finally came, the minute was 92 and Dorgu was finally released by Garnacho and it was Harry Maguire on the end of it, with the header going wide.
In-possession Man Utd were miles better but in the final third it’s still miles off where they should be.
3) Harry Maguire Battering Ram Cameo
I think it’s pretty clear where Ruben Amorim felt the space was if Harry Maguire was pushed up as a centre-forward.
With Maguire up top, Man Utd peppered the crosses in for the English centre-back who managed to cause some chaos, particularly with a goal line clearance at the end by Murillo.
It goes to show, just like games vs Everton and Ipswich Town, the screw is turned more when Man Utd need to desperately turn a result around.
Perhaps because of his physical presence and the fact it was so late on and Nottingham Forest sat off deeper, but Man Utd looked more threatening with this tactic deployed.
Man Utd’s attack doesn’t have a player like this in their arsenal, come the summer, they may need to look for a striker who is brilliant in the air.
4) Frustrating 90 Minutes from Garnacho
Alejandro Garnacho is an exciting player and Man Utd at least have some pace in their forward line when he plays.
He’s still very young, but for a player who gets himself in such promising attacking positions and isn’t afraid to keep taking a man on, you find yourself wanting a lot more from him.
His tactical awareness and decision-making needs improving.
The amount of times Patrick Dorgu overlapped him and the Argentinian just ignored his run to shoot was a little exasperating.
The attacking line is probably better with Garnacho in the team, but he can do better, especially in terms of developing a relationship with his full-back.
5) Momentum checked
Form had improved before the international break with Man Utd losing once in nine games.
The defeat to Nottingham Forest was the 13th in the league season, a damning mark on this dreadful season.
Despite the improvement in performance vs Nottingham Forest, it’s par for the course that Man Utd are not good enough to beat a team that is 3rd in the league.
The Red Devils simply do not create enough or score enough and it’s going to have to change in the league games remaining or pressure will increase on Ruben Amorim.
With the Manchester Derby coming up on Sunday and a crunch tie away to Lyon four days later, Man Utd are going to have to pick themselves up quickly and go again.
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Source: Centred Devils