Ruben Amorim can add to the recent buzzwords “suffer” and “hurricane” Manchester United manager “defend” after the latest horror show that all three are guilty. Nottingham Forest goals
As Amorim had said before kick-off, the threatening conditions were no excuse as the Old Trafford bowl provided protection, with André Onana, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martínez and Leny Yoro being the chosen players.
However, the goalkeeper and the three central defenders made mistakes that made the United States chase the match throughout and, although they finished strongly, they needed to make the equalizer late on – Martínez missed his next flash.
Citing how the United States is not currently a “massive team,” Amorim was preparing for such displays. Judging by how Forest prosper, the 20-time champions of England will remain a little bit longer.
Amorim also talked about learning about the players. Well, after both goals in Wednesday’s 2-0 loss to Arsenal came from corners, Martínez and De Ligt made no move by losing Nikola Milenkovic for Elliot Anderson’s second-minute delivery from the right-hand corner. The defender raised a free header to beat the steady Onana.
The head coach is also guilty of this as his job description is in the exercise of a certain resistance part. For one of his opinions to oversee three consecutive goals from corners is a black mark against him.
His reading during the week was also questionable. After scoring twice in United’s last home game, Sunday 4-0 trouncing of VertonHe left Amorim Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee at Arsenal and now he has done the same.
For Rasmus Højlund and Alejandro Garnacho were retained at the front. She, in front of Zirkzee, lost a gilt-edged chance when Bruno Fernandes flew into the middle and hit Garnachon, who floated the ball where the Dane wanted. But in jumping, the point of the headgear was completely lost and the forest escaped.
As in Arsenal’s opening period, United passed the ball around, pushing their opponents around, and the equalizer came from there. De Ligt found Fernandes, who recycled the ball to Manuel Ugarte. Garnacho spun in behind a terrible line, the Argentinian ball preempted, Matz Sels blocked his effort, Højlund hit the gaping goal.
Yoro, though, then the last of Amorim’s three center backs should be knocked out in his set, in his full debut. This was Murillo’s free-kick in the United area: the Frenchman was overcome by Ryan Yates, who turned the ball back. Iota Silva’s head hit the bar.
Unciares and Amorim were sent down the field to ask for yet another concession on the dead ball and there was a further close call when Murillo missed a delivery from the right.
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At the end of the half Garnacho shot and Fernandes’ free-kick crashed over the bar, but these were moments whose early dominance is now only remembered.
The second goal came in the second minute in the middle and from the misfortune of Fernandes and Onana. Callus Hudson-Odoi intended for Yoro, the leader of the United States in place. Penner passed to Morgan Gibbs-White and although there was a curl in his shot, this was marginal and Onana still allowed the ball.
The duo soon made it 3-1 to the impressive visitors and this time Yoro, De Ligt, Martínez and Onana made baskets. It was all too simple: Gibbs-White’s ball stood at the far post, Yoro failed to challenge Chris Wood and his header was lost to the steering wheel – farcically by De Ligt, Martínez and Onana who all seemed to blame each other.
Amorim Garnacho was brought on for Rashford. It took half an hour for United to pull this off the fire and an immediate change was made. Fernandes sent Amad Diallo into the penalty area with a lofted pass. He waited, the Portuguese returned possession, and the pirouette in the left corner was amazing.
In the end, Zirkzee, Rashford and Højlund were the front three but in vain. You wonder why Amorim missed the first two after winning games at Everton, left to wonder. Since then Britain has lost twice.