It was a first defeat for Amorim at Old Trafford, where there was a heartfelt pre-match tribute to Kath Phipps after United’s longest-serving employee died this week at the age of 85
Ruben Amorim suffered the first major setback of his Manchester United reign as Nottingham Forest capitalised on some poor defending and goalkeeping to secure a shock 3-2 Premier League win at Old Trafford.
The head coach warned that a storm was coming at the start of a week that ended in a second defeat and co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe talking about the work required to turn around a club that has become “mediocre”.
Wednesday’s 2-0 loss at Arsenal was compounded on Saturday evening by Forest, with Nikola Milenkovic, Morgan Gibbs-White and Chris Wood securing the club’s first win at Old Trafford since 1994.
United boss Amorim will likely be as frustrated with the manner of the goals as the result.
Corners proved their undoing at Arsenal and Milenkovic headed home from one after just 88 seconds on Saturday, with set pieces continuing to prove a problem after Rasmus Hojlund levelled.
After half-time, United were undone by other issues. Andre Onana was embarrassed by a swerving Gibbs-White strike, with the goalkeeper, Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs De Ligt then all failing to deal with a looping Wood header.
Bruno Fernandes pulled one back but there was no leveller as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side saw out a memorable victory just days after losing 3-0 down the road at Manchester City.
It was a first defeat for Amorim at Old Trafford, where there was a heartfelt pre-match tribute to Kath Phipps after United’s longest-serving employee died this week at the age of 85.
“Thank you, Kath – United legend” read a flag held up by players who then stood behind it during a minute’s applause for the much-loved receptionist who joined the club in 1968.
It was a touching moment before a clash that started with the hosts’ set-piece fragility being exposed inside 90 seconds.
Elliot Anderson sent over a corner and Milenkovic all-too easily beat returning Lisandro Martinez to the ball, powering a close-range header past Onana.
United rallied after that early setback, with Diogo Dalot and Fernandes striking wide from distance before Amad Diallo saw a shot blocked and Matz Sels tipped over a Martinez header.
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