Rio Ferdinand’s brutal one-word verdict on Manchester United’s loss speaks volumes

Rio Ferdinand has offered his brutally honest thoughts after Manchester United fell to a 3-2 loss against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

Manchester United fell to a 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford, with Nottingham Forest leaving with all three Premier League points on Saturday afternoon.

The match began with a shock for the hosts as Nikola Milenkovic headed Forest in front just two minutes after kick-off. United responded well, with Rasmus Højlund scoring in the 18th minute by converting a rebound from Alejandro Garnacho‘s initial shot.

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Forest came out strong again after the break, regaining the lead within two minutes of the restart. Chris Wood then extended the visitors’ advantage, making it 3-1. Bruno Fernandes clawed one back for United with 30 minutes left, setting up a tense finale.

Despite their efforts to push for an equaliser, United couldn’t find a way through, leaving Rúben Amorim to endure his first defeat at Old Trafford.

Ferdinand’s brutal verdict

Following the performance against Forest, former United defender Rio Ferdinand offered a one-word verdict that summed up United’s calamitous display.

It was a comedy of errors that led to United’s goals, conceding a corner, a howler moment from André Onana, and a lapse in concentration from Lisandro Martínez leading to the loss.

Ferdinand’s one-word verdict – “Shambles” – is an honest and correct assessment of the tie. United looked good mostly as they aimed to create chances, with Manuel Ugarte and Leny Yoro having particularly good performances.

However, the series of errors that led to the club’s demise in the game, backed up by Ferdinand’s assessment, speaks volumes about both the side’s defending and mentality, and offers Amorim even more work to do on the training ground.

Amorim’s honest assessment

Amorim himself admitted after the game that he thought it was a tough match, and the goals scored by Forest made it difficult for United.

“It was a really tough game,” he said. “We started really badly. The first play, we suffered a goal. They scored in difficult moments for us so it was difficult to pass on to the players the job we have to do.

“We controlled the game and created some chances and then we tried to work something for the second half. When we suffer two goals like that, it’s really hard in this context to help the players, to put some calm into the players.

“They try it until the end, with not a lot quality, more heart than quality, but we couldn’t do it, [get] another goal to gain at least a point.”

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