Ruben Amorim made a tactical error at Nottingham Forest that made Man United pay at the City Ground.
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Ruben Amorim puts his hand over his face after full-time at the City Ground.
Ruben Amorim made a huge tactical error against Nottingham Forest.
(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images.)
After starting with Joshua Zirkzee up front at the City Ground on Tuesday night, Manchester United had Harry Maguire and Rasmus Hojlund leading the line by the time the final whistle was blown.
United, despite creating their fair share of chances either side of half-time, were unable to breach a stubborn Forest defence, meaning they slipped to a 1-0 defeat. It marked their 11th league game this season without a goal.
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United went into the game on the back of successive victories that had seen them plunder seven goals. Hojlund led the line on both occasions, producing an excellent performance without scoring in the 4-1 win over Real Sociedad before ending his 21-game run without a goal in the 3-0 triumph at Leicester City.
After finally ending that drought, the last thing anyone anticipated at the City Ground was to see Hojlund's name missing from the starting XI on the teamsheet. However, it was, with Zirkzee getting the nod to lead the line.
A tactical adjustment saw Zirkzee elected to lead the line, supported by Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho in the two No.10 positions. Manuel Ugarte was partnered by Casemiro in midfield.
"It is just tactical reasons," the United head coach told TNT Sports pre-match when asked why Hojlund was on the bench. "We tried to look at the opponent, we tried to see the training sessions and see the best qualities in the players to win the game.
"We have to remember that it is really important that players can change the game in the middle of the game. We are thinking of everything and we try to pick the best 11 to win the game."
Hojlund was introduced by half-time, replacing Ugarte, meaning Fernandes dropped back into midfield to allow Zirkzee to occupy the right-sided No.10 position for the second half. The Dutchman, just as he had against Arsenal a little over three weeks earlier, failed to impact proceedings as the No.9.
Amorim's decision to deploy Zirkzee at the tip of United's attack was more than questionable. The former Bologna man had been showing progressive signs as a No.10, earning well-deserved plaudits for his contributions and efforts from that area of the pitch.
Joshua Zirkzee competes with Nottingham Forest defender Murillo for the ball.
Joshua Zirkzee struggled to impact proceedings at the City Ground.(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images.)
United's transition to a 3-4-2-1 formation, featuring two No.10 positions, has offered Zirkzee a fresh chance to prove his worth at Old Trafford and demonstrate that he can still have a part to play. His performances against Sociedad in the Europa League were particularly admirable.
But what made Amorim's decision to start Zirkzee as the No.9 against Forest all the more bemusing was that he said the Netherlands international "is not a clear nine" in February, recognising he was more effective from elsewhere.
"I think Josh is not a clear [number] nine, he played more as a No.10" said Amorim following United's 1-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur in February.
"He's stronger physically, he's thinner, he's working really hard, and he plays in a better position for him. He's improving, he's winning more duels and he's even faster, you feel that in the game, and that helps to make the decision."
Amorim is within his right to tinker with his team and experiment. He had obviously spotted something in his homework that convinced him Zirkzee could impact proceedings and cause problems for Forest as the No.9.
Unfortunately, Forest were not troubled by him at all from that position. Amorim contradicted himself and he can ill-afford to do it again.