Rúben Amorim must look to start two Manchester United stars as he assesses the type of threat Nottingham Forest could provide this weekend.
Manchester United are enjoying a superb run of form as Rúben Amorim prepares his team for Saturday afternoon’s Premier League trip to Nottingham Forest.
Amorim’s Reds have won three on the bounce, overcoming Sunderland 2-0, edging Liverpool 2-1, and producing a dominant 4-2 victory over Brighton at Old Trafford last weekend.
Forest, meanwhile, are enduring a turbulent campaign, with Sean Dyche becoming their third manager of the season.
United’s winning streak has propelled them to sixth in the Premier League table, climbing above Liverpool, while Forest sit 18th with just five points from nine matches — setting up an intriguing encounter at The City Ground.
Amorim wary of Forest’s transitions
Speaking with club media ahead of the clash in the Midlands, Amorim was asked for his thoughts on Dyche and how Forest will play, to which he explained that he feels their transitions from defence to attack will be how they will look to beat United.
“[They will be] a little bit tough to beat, like with [former manager] Nuno Espirito Santo,” Amorim said. “I think he’s really smart; he has a lot of experience. I think they will try to make transitions.
“We lost there in one transition [last season]. We need to be really focused on every detail of the game.
“We need to understand that we are not going to have the space to play like we have against Liverpool or against Brighton, even against Sunderland. It’s going to be a different game, and we need to be prepared for that feeling that is going to be tough to get inside the final third, but we are ready for that.”
Amorim also spoke about Forest’s transition threat during his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon, highlighting Morgan Gibbs-White, Elliot Anderson, and Callum Hudson-Odoi as “very good players” to watch out for.
Amorim must play Dorgu and Yoro against Forest
As referenced by Amorim, United have had a lot of space to attack and defend during the wins over Sunderland, Liverpool, and Brighton, but Forest will pose a new type of threat.
If United are cautious of being possibly caught out or having to defend multiple transitions, then the United head coach must look to start his fastest defensive players.
Harry Maguire could be out through injury, having missed the Brighton win last weekend, and should he not be fit, Leny Yoro – United’s quickest centre-back – must be playing on the right-hand side of the defensive line to help cover for Amad at right wing-back.
At left wing-back, Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu must be reinstated. Currently, Diogo Dalot has been marshalling the left-hand side, but the natural right-back is not the quickest player and can be caught out against transitional sides.
If Amorim is confident that Forset will play quick, transitional football, he must look to have Yoro and Dorgu in his starting team on Saturday afternoon.
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