Manchester United's loss to high-flying Nottingham Forest didn't come as a surprise to many as the club continues to falter under Ruben Amorim
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Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho didn't have his best game against Nottingham Forest
Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho has been criticised for his performance against Nottingham Forest.
(Image: Getty)
Manchester United were made to look like fools once again on Tuesday as their past came to haunt them with Anthony Elanga's solo strike sinking his former side.
The ex-United winger raced 85m up the pitch with the ball at his feet at almost-Olympic pace to deliver Ruben Amorim his first league loss in four games.
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The Portuguese head coach's side applied pressure for much of the game after falling behind within five minutes, but both of United's better chances fell to defender Harry Maguire who was unable to convert either, leaving the club in 13th place.
United have long known their season rests on European success with the first leg of their Europa League quarterfinal, an away trip to Lyon, to be played on April 10. The club might also find solace, or perhaps concern over how far they have fallen, in the fact that the defeat to an impressive Forest felt routine to the national media - here's what they had to say.
Ben Fisher of The Guardian wrote: "At the weekend the lasting shot was Ryan Yates haring towards the Nottingham Forest supporters in celebration and here another episode at breakneck speed earned victory. This time the subject was Anthony Elanga, who tore up the City Ground turf, eating up 85 metres in nine exhilarating seconds, to score the only goal of the game against his former club and maintain Forest’s unlikely push to qualify for the Champions League.
"The other moment that Forest may look back on as pivotal if they go on to earn a place in the game’s grandest club competition arrived six minutes and 18 seconds into stoppage time.
"Harry Maguire, thrown up front as an unconventional striker, a needs-must move by Ruben Amorim, prodded the ball goalwards but Murillo hacked it off the line with almost the last kick of the game.
"A few seconds later, with Forest’s first league double over United since 1991-92 - when Brian Clough was in charge - secured, Rockin’ All Over the World blared over the speakers and the locals set off a round of fireworks that soared into the sky above Trent Bridge."
Laurie Whitwell of The Athletic said: "Alejandro Garnacho wore his frustration like a neon sign at the City Ground, cracking the ball against the advertising hoardings after being given offside and getting a yellow card for that show of dissent.
"Rasmus Hojlund responded to his Manchester United team-mate’s angst by giving a momentary pep talk, but the rest of the game brought the 20-year-old no reprieve.
"At the final whistle, when Nottingham Forest’s 1-0 win was confirmed, Garnacho fell to the turf and lay flat on his back, physically exhausted and probably mentally exhausted, too.
"The win keeps Nottingham Forest third in the Premier League table and firmly in the mix for Champions League football, and it leaves United 13th.
"After 30 seconds, Mason Mount pulled Garnacho up and patted him on the head. Later, the United head coach Ruben Amorim fielded more questions about a player whose natural game still seems an awkward fit for this system."
Paul Hirst of The Times wrote: "Some sobering thoughts for Manchester United supporters to contemplate as they left the City Ground to the sound of fireworks.
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"Their team are bound for mid to lower-table obscurity while Nottingham Forest, 20 points and ten places above them in the Premier League table, are headed for the Champions League. Anthony Elanga, formerly of their parish, is blossoming into a deadly winger; and Harry Maguire, thrown into the box late on as a makeshift striker, had their best two chances of the game.
"There could not be a bigger contrast between United’s added-time put-it-in-the mixery and the elegance of Elanga’s winning goal, scored in the fifth minute.
"When Ryan Yates headed Bruno Fernandes’ cross clear, Elanga sprinted 85 metres in nine seconds and swept the ball past André Onana despite the weakest of chases by Alejandro Garnacho, Patrick Dorgu and Noussair Mazraoui, who all came in for criticism from their head coach."