Rúben Amorim’s storm arrives despite two fantastic stars – Five things noticed, Manchester United 2-3 Nottingham Forest

Five things noticed as Manchester United fall to a 3-2 defeat against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday at Old Trafford.

Rúben Amorim chose to start Leny Yoro as Manchester United faced Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

The tie started fast, with Nikola Milenkovic heading in from a corner to give the visitors a lead inside two minutes. United responded well, continuing to build attacks as they searched for an equaliser, and they found that effort as Rasmus Højlund pounced on a spill to level the score at 1-1.

Read More: Player Ratings – Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest (Premier League)

Forest started the second half just as they did the first, with Morgan Gibbs-White wrongfooting André Onana and handing back his side the lead within two minutes of kick-off. Then, minutes later, Chris Wood doubled their advantage.

However, while United looked down and out, a great piece of combination play between Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes saw the club captain pull one back for the Reds with 30 minutes to play.

Despite the side’s best efforts and multiple changes from Amorim, they failed to recoup their losses, with the club falling to a 3-2 defeat on Saturday.

#1 – Set pieces a mixed bag

Forest’s early goal came from a corner, making it the third corner United had conceded in two games – a clear area of improvement for United’s team.

However, from an attacking perspective, United looked organised and systematic, and although they did not score from a dead-ball situation against Forest, they still looked a danger.

While the players are obviously learning how to attack set pieces, much is left to be desired when defending them.

#2 – Ugarte’s brilliant display

Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo were brilliant in the middle of the park. The blend of Mainoo’s quick dribbling and Ugarte’s bullish defending was a perfect balance.

In the first half, the duo worked harmoniously to regain United’s control of the game following Forest’s early goal, keeping the side grounded in the 45 minutes.

However, in the second half, United’s defence began to crumble, and although Ugarte continued to play well alongside Mainoo, his game was overshadowed by the comedy of errors by his teammates.

#3 – Yoro’s fantastic start

Today was Yoro’s first start for United after his long-term foot injury, and despite the club leaking three goals while the 19-year-old was on the field, the Frenchman himself slotted in well during his 65 minutes.

Playing as the right-sided centre-back in the back three, Yoro was calm, collected, and didn’t put a foot wrong. He was by far the most composed of the side’s back three, and will no doubt make his way into United’s XI more often in the coming weeks.

#4 – Moments of madness

As was the theme under Erik ten Hag earlier this season, United continue to undo their good work through moments of madness that often leave fans and players bemused.

Whether it be collective errors from the squad or individual faults from players, the work often put in across the 90 minutes, such as against Forest, is undone by single periods of play that leave the side trailing.

Against the midlands side, poor reading from Onana and a lapse in concentration from Lisandro Martínez allowed the visitors to blast their way through United’s defence. It’s a poor trait that Amorim must rid the side of.

#5 – A second storm in the north

While Storm Darragh has left most of England’s north West on edge, with Liverpool’s tie against Everton cancelled due to weather on Saturday afternoon, it was a metaphorical one that rained down at Old Trafford.

Amorim said a few weeks ago that “a storm is coming,” referring to the fact that he knows United will slip up in the coming months as they get used to his system, and following the back-to-back losses against Arsenal and Forest, it’s arrived for now.

Teething issues are to be expected, so it would be harsh to judge the 39-year-old for this performance at Old Trafford, but there is no doubt that the United boss will be fuming with some of his stars’ displays.

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