Ruben Amorim faced the first significant setback of his tenure as Manchester United manager after Nottingham Forest capitalized on defensive lapses to secure a stunning 3-2 Premier League victory at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Coming off the back of a midweek loss to Arsenal, Amorim’s United suffered another blow, with Forest earning their first win at Old Trafford since 1994. Goals from Nikola Milenkovic, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Chris Wood punished the Red Devils’ defensive frailties, leaving the home fans frustrated and raising concerns about the team’s direction under their new head coach.
The week had started with Amorim cautioning about an impending “storm,” a warning that materialized through back-to-back defeats and co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe acknowledging the extensive work required to revive a club he described as “mediocre.”
Early Setback Sets the Tone
The match began on an emotional note as United paid tribute to Kath Phipps, their longest-serving employee, who passed away this week at the age of 85. Players honored her memory with a heartfelt pre-match tribute, holding a flag that read, “Thank you, Kath – United legend,” during a minute’s applause.
However, the solemn atmosphere quickly gave way to disarray on the pitch as Forest exposed United’s set-piece vulnerabilities within 90 seconds. Elliot Anderson’s corner found Milenkovic, who easily outmuscled Lisandro Martinez to power a header past Andre Onana.
United responded with a spirited push, with Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes trying their luck from distance, while Alejandro Garnacho and Martinez forced saves from Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels. The hosts’ persistence paid off in the 18th minute when Rasmus Hojlund turned in a loose ball after Garnacho’s initial attempt was smothered.
Second-Half Collapse
Despite leveling the score, United’s defensive issues resurfaced after halftime. In the 47th minute, Fernandes’ misplaced pass allowed Forest to counter, with Gibbs-White unleashing a swerving long-range effort that deceived Onana.
Forest doubled their lead seven minutes later. A looping header from Chris Wood, following a deep cross from Gibbs-White, evaded United’s defenders and goalkeeper, leaving Old Trafford in stunned silence.
United rallied briefly, with Fernandes pulling one back in the 61st minute after an impressive assist from Amad Diallo. The goal sparked hope among the home supporters, but despite late efforts from Marcus Rashford, Martinez, and Dalot, Forest held firm to secure a historic victory.
Worrying Signs for Amorim
The defeat marks Amorim’s first loss at Old Trafford and highlights the significant challenges ahead. Defensive lapses and set-piece weaknesses remain glaring issues, with United conceding five goals across two matches in similar fashion.
For Nottingham Forest, the victory was a statement of resilience under Nuno Espirito Santo, coming just days after a heavy 3-0 loss to Manchester City.
United now face mounting pressure to regroup and address their weaknesses as Amorim works to stabilize a team struggling to meet expectations in the Premier League.