I saw Ruben Amorim conversation that could lead to new Manchester United training ground plan
Ruben Amorim suffered his first home defeat as Manchester United manager as his side were beaten 3-2 by Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford, slumping to a second reverse in a row after losing to Arsenal in midweek.
United started dreadfully in awful conditions at Old Trafford, conceding from a corner for the third time in four days as Nikola Milenkovic rose above Lisandro Martinez to put Forest ahead inside 90 seconds. Rasmus Hojlund scored a well-crafted equaliser and United seemed to be in a good position at half-time.
But a dramatic collapse just after half-time cost them the game. Andre Onana's awful error gifted Morgan Gibbs-White a goal and then a collective defensive lapse saw Chris Wood's header loop in. Bruno Fernandes pulled one back but there was to be no Old Trafford comeback for Amorim.
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Fernandes input
It was a day of two Fernandes'. Bruno almost hauled United back into this game, but Carlos spent much of his day on the technical area looked increasingly exasperated at the set-piece chaos he was watching.
Amorim has decided to hand set-piece duties to his 29-year-old assistant, taking them off Andreas Georgson, and since then United have been poor at defensive situations. Having shipped two at Arsenal in midweek from corners, United concede from a corner against Forest after less than 90 seconds.
That was the seventh goal they have conceded from a corner this season, level with Wolves as the worst performing team in the Premier League, and they looked shaky all afternoon. One Forest free-kick in the first half saw Ryan Yates win the first header and then Jota Silva the second, with his effort hitting the crossbar.
Amorim was stood eight yards down the touchline to get a better view of that and it was a scenario that would have made it clear that he needs to give Fernandes, Carlos that is, more time on the training ground to fix these problems. They had a chat after that and it's an issue that needs work.
De Ligt celebration
Four United players touched the ball after Matthijs de Ligt in the build-up to the equaliser, but his role still felt crucial, and it was telling that a few of his teammates went over to congratulate him on his contribution.
When the centre-back held on to possession and tried to bait a Forest player forward, there were audible groans inside Old Trafford. Within five seconds, the ball was in the back of the Forest net.
Modern systems are about finding overloads, and that involves playing deep, inviting pressure, and then playing through it. De Ligt did it perfectly, and after that, it became a real system goal.
Bruno Fernandes came deep with his back to goal, laying the ball off to Manuel Ugarte who was facing forward with room to attack. His pass to the inside forward was excellent, and although Alejandro Garnacho's shot was saved, Rasmus Hojlund was on hand to slot the ball away. But it owed plenty to De Ligt's patience.
A fitting tribute
United got their pre-match tribute to legendary club employee Kath Phipps just right, with the tone perfect to celebrate the live of the 85-year-old, who died this week after 55 years of service to the club.
Fernandes and former United player Anthony Elanga came out with wreaths and laid them pitchside before kick-off, before United's players unfurled a banner reading 'Thank you Kath, United legend'. The players stood behind it but then waved over all the staff and subs to also be part of the tribute.