Manchester United suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in a hard-fought Premier League clash at the City Ground.
United head coach Ruben Amorim made a couple of surprising decisions in the starting XI.
Casemiro started alongside Manuel Ugarte in the midfield, while Joshua Zirkzee was trusted to spearhead United’s attack.
Former United prodigy Anthony Elanga delivered a stunning solo effort to put Forest ahead, showcasing the talent that once flickered at Old Trafford.
Despite dominating ball possession, United could not break down Forest’s stubborn defensive wall.
Amorim rang multiple attacking changes in the second half but United failed to find the equaliser.
Harry Maguire, playing as an emergency striker, came agonisingly close to rescuing United, only to be denied by a heroic block off the line that compounded the misery.
Player Ratings
Andre Onana – 5/10
The goalkeeper was slow to react to Elanga’s low strike which ultimately proved to be the match-winner.
Leny Yoro – 7/10
Yoro put in a superb tackle to stop Elanga from making it 2-0 in the 82nd minute.
Matthijs de Ligt – 5/10
The central defender was decent at the back but contributed little in terms of ball progression.
Noussair Mazraoui – 4/10
Mazraoui struggled with indecisive defending during Forest’s counter-attacks, looking shaky on the left side of the back three.
Diogo Dalot – 6/10
Dalot showed good attacking intent on the right flank and came close to scoring with a header that struck the post.
Patrick Dorgu – 4/10
Dorgu struggled to create clear-cut chances but delivered a pinpoint cross to Maguire in injury time.
He should have brought down Elanga in the build-up to the goal but misjudged and lost the footrace.
Manuel Ugarte – 5/10
He looked too passive in the midfield and was hooked off for Hojlund at the break.
Casemiro – 5/10
The Brazilian international tried to dictate play with long passes, but a booking forced Amorim to sub him off on the hour mark.
Bruno Fernandes – 5/10
Fernandes has been bailing United out in recent weeks, but it was not his night.
He had two solid half chances early in the game but failed to beat the goalkeeper.
Alejandro Garnacho – 3/10
Garnacho was outmuscled too easily by Elanga for the early goal.
Despite multiple opportunities to take on defenders, he lost every battle and picked up a booking for kicking the ball away.
A terrible performance from the youngster.
Joshua Zirkzee – 4/10
The Dutch international was lively in the first half but faded significantly after the break.
Substitutions
Rasmus Hojlund – 5/10
Hojlund injected more urgency into the attack but failed to find the back of the net.
Christian Eriksen – 5/10
Amorim chose Eriksen to inject creativity but the Denmark international also failed to break Nottingham’s resolute defence.
Mason Mount – 6/10
Mount returned from his injury and could have had an instant impact but his shot drifted wide.
Harry Maguire – NA
Too late to rate.