If Bruno Fernandes doesn't produce, just who else will step up for Manchester United?
That was again the burning question on Tuesday evening, as a typically blunt Red Devils side were edged out 1-0 by Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, with Anthony Elanga's early strike proving the difference between the two teams in the end.
In a way, the visitors were almost doomed to fail from the outset as Ruben Amorim opted not to select Rasmus Hojlund through the middle, with the resurgent Dane starting on the bench despite having found his groove again with goals against Leicester City and Portugal in recent weeks for club and country.
His replacement, Joshua Zirkzee, was unsurprisingly rather ineffective in that number nine berth having failed to win a single duel nor even attempted a shot, with late substitute Harry Maguire twice coming closest to drawing his side level after being thrown on at the death.
And so, the Old Trafford side remain on a negative goal difference heading into Sunday's Manchester Derby, with work no doubt being done behind the scenes on acquiring suitable attacking reinforcements this summer.
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On a more positive note, however, there was reason for optimism regarding the visitors' display up until the final third, with a handful of individuals catching the eye.
Man Utd's key performers vs Forest
Starting with Fernandes, it wasn't a vintage display from the man who'd scored five goals across his last three games heading into Tuesday's clash, although much of what was good about United still came courtesy of the Portuguese's right foot.
Bruno-Fernandes-Man-Utd-Forest
Having been deployed further forward in a number ten berth, the skipper notably combined with Alejandro Garnacho early on before producing a save from the sprawling Matz Sels, while the roles were memorably reversed in the second-half, as Fernandes picked out his young teammate with a delightful lofted ball over the top.
In all, the former Sporting CP playmaker registered six key passes - two more than any other player on the pitch - having also chalked up the most touches on the night, with 111 in total, to further rubberstamp his influence.
Elsewhere, meanwhile, the returning Leny Yoro was also a standout following his recall to the starting lineup, with the teenage Frenchman denying ex-United star, Elanga late on with an expertly timed sliding challenge just outside the area.
That key intervention evoked memories of the 19-year-old's mirror tackle on Darwin Nunez at Anfield back in January, having showcased his innate recovery pace in both cases to make such a crucial challenge.
The former Lille starlet should well be a mainstay in the back three moving forward - fitness permitting - with the same now also true of Diogo Dalot.
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Since his arrival in Manchester back in November, two of Amorim's six most used players have been Fernandes and the aforementioned Dalot, a fact that has only served to highlight the duo's quality and availability amid an injury-hit season.
Most used players under Amorim at Man Utd
Player
Bruno Fernandes
Diogo Dalot
Noussair Mazraoui
Rasmus Hojlund
Alejandro Garnacho
Joshua Zirkzee
Andre Onana
Matthijs de Ligt
Manuel Ugarte
Leny Yoro
Stats via Transfermarkt
In a way, the lack of alternatives at wing-back or full-back has ensured that Dalot, in particular, has almost been an undroppable figure regardless of his form, although on current evidence, he is now actually deserving of his secure role in the side.
Formerly the club's Players' Player of the Year for 2023/24, the Portuguese defender had endured a difficult start to the new campaign, with notable errors including his foul on Tyler Dibling away to Southampton, or his inability to track Brennan Johnson in the 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford.
More recently, under Amorim, the 26-year-old had looked distinctly uncomfortable when operating in an unorthodox left wing-back role, while having also come under fire for failing to pick out a surging Hojlund in the 1-1 draw away to Real Sociedad, with club legend Paul Scholes branding that decision "criminal".
Such moments have raised question marks over his suitability in this 3-4-3 set-up, although in recent weeks, the former Porto man has quietly stepped up to the mark, having first teed up Fernandes in the FA Cup clash with Fulham last month.
That has since been followed by a further assist for his compatriot against Leicester, while Dalot also got on the scoresheet himself in the second leg against Sociedad, having rifled home in superb fashion from inside the area.
While no goal involvements followed on Tuesday night, Dalot was a real outlet down the right flank, having successfully completed 80% of his attempted dribbles and racked up three key passes from his 98 touches.
Dalot-Man-Utd-Forest
Diogo Dalot
The long-serving defender - who won six duels in total - also struck the woodwork with a looping header, having looked like one of the few in blue who could threaten the hosts in the final third.
With the £85k-per-week ace now being afforded a consistent run in the side on his favoured right flank, it looks as if he is beginning to grow into this wing-back berth, with Manchester Evening News journalist Samuel Luckhurst suggesting that Amorim has 'gravitated' towards both Dalot and Fernandes since taking the job.
FFC Performance in Numbers
Performance in Numbers
Dalot's former Porto youth coach, Antonio Folha, has also outlined just why the defender is so important under the new coaching regime, having told the MEN that:
"Amorim values players with strong mentalities, intelligence, and versatility. Diogo fits this profile perfectly. His ability to play in various roles, both defensively and offensively, will make him a valuable asset in Amorim's flexible system."
As has been clear to see amid Dalot's regular game time of late, he remains a key figure in this struggling United side. If he can maintain his recent revival, however, he could also be a central part of what will hopefully be a more successful team in the years to come.
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