Rio Ferdinand has ripped into three Manchester United players for Anthony Elanga’s opening goal against Rúben Amorim’s men on Tuesday evening.
Manchester United suffered their 13th Premier League defeat of the season, falling 1-0 to Nottingham Forest at The City Ground on Tuesday evening, thanks to Anthony Elanga’s early goal.
The game began at a fast pace, with Bruno Fernandes firing an early shot towards the Forest goal. However, it was Elanga who provided the decisive moment after just five minutes, sprinting from his own half and calmly finishing past André Onana.
Rúben Amorim’s men gradually settled and started to control more of the play as the first half wore on, but they struggled to turn their possession into genuine scoring chances. At half-time, Amorim tried to inject new energy by bringing on Rasmus Højlund in place of Manuel Ugarte.
United pushed forward relentlessly in search of an equaliser in the second half, yet Forest defended resolutely. Mason Mount nearly levelled the score late on, but his attempt was brilliantly blocked on the goal line by Murillo in stoppage time.
Ultimately, Nuno Espírito Santo’s disciplined Forest side saw out the victory, leaving Amorim and Manchester United empty-handed after another frustrating Premier League outing.
Ferdinand rips into three United players
Former United captain Rio Ferdinand ripped into three United on players following the early Elanga goal, with Patrick Dorgu, Alejandro Garnacho, and Noussair Mazraoui all at fault.
“I can break this goal down,” he explained on TNT Sports. “I think there’s three moments where they could have maybe stopped this goal. I think, first of all, it’s a wonderful goal from Elanga, and you can’t take anything away from him in that sense.
“But when you’re looking for a defensive point of view, Elanga on the edge of the box there. Dorgu’s got to be goal-side. You’ve got to think defensively first. You know the threat is pace. Be in a better position to stop that. Then he’s behind, he’s chasing, can’t get back.
“And Garnacho has a role to play here. You should take him out, foul him there. You’ve got to foul him there. Take him out. You can see the pace; you can see the support he has.
“And Mazraoui’s got to make a decision. Before he gets into that box, you’ve got to go and engage the attacking player there. Go into the box, get closer to goal. Elanga dispatches.”
Ferdinand’s reflection on the goal displays a clear indication of a recurring theme that Manchester United are not physical enough when dealing with pressure, which is worrying at this stage in the season.
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