Rúben Amorim takes away a huge positive from his side’s performance in their 2-2 draw against Forest at the City Ground.
Sean Dyche’s Nottingham Forest proved a stern test for Manchester United, holding Rúben Amorim’s side to a 2-2 draw in a lively encounter at the City Ground.
After a cagey opening half-hour, Casemiro broke the deadlock with a powerful header from a corner that drew strong protests from the home supporters. The Brazilian’s goal gave United a narrow advantage heading into the break.
Forest came out with real intent after half-time and struck twice within the first five minutes. United struggled to cope with a series of dangerous deliveries, and Morgan Gibbs-White levelled the score with a fine header into the far corner.
Moments later, another cross caused chaos in the box, and Nicolò Savona reacted quickest to prod the ball past Senne Lammens, turning the game on its head.
United battled back and found their equaliser ten minutes from time through Amad. When a Forest clearance fell kindly to him on the edge of the box, the Ivorian guided a crisp left-footed strike beyond Mats Sels to secure a point for Amorim’s men.
Amorim pleased with United’s positive response to Forest goals
Last season, United were too vulnerable at times, leaving them conceding many goals in quick succession. However, the Portuguese manager was majorly happy with his side’s reaction to Forest’s surprise goals.
He stated, “In the past, if we had this kind of bad five minutes and we suffered two goals, we didn’t recover. Today is a different feeling.”
His side didn’t let their head drop after their lead was taken away from them. Amorim continued, “You can sense that we could not win this game, but we are not going to lose.”
United often let their frustration get the better of them as they struggled to get back into games last season after conceding quick goals. United fans can be pleased by their players’ reactions to try and find the spark in their attacks again.
“I think last year we suffered a lot and we want to win games and to overcome these moments, but now we know how to do it.”
Is this a turning point for Amorim’s side
United kept the pressure high on Forest’s goal in constant attempts to secure some points. They deservedly got their goal through Amad’s super strike. A headed clearance landed on a swinging left foot, which rifled through a sea of bodies and into the back of the net.
They almost won it in the dying embers of the game. It was the Ivorian again who found himself approaching a bouncing ball close to the goal in the 93rd minute. Another clean left-footed strike whistled past Sels, but a desperate block from Murillo kept the game even.
Fans should be optimistic about this reaction from Man Utd, with the knowledge that Amorim’s players remain positive despite going behind.
This is a great change from last season, where United often found themselves losing composure in attacks when chasing a game and conceding early.
A notable example could be when United came to the City Ground last season. Former Red, Anthony Elanga, gave Forest a 1-0 lead only five minutes in, and United could not find a way to get back into the game.
United fans will hope that they can keep this positive energy into their next fixture away against Thomas Frank’s Tottenham Hotspur.
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