Man Utd player ratings vs Forest: Onana horror show, Amorim humiliated | Football | Sport
Man Utd fell to a 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford (Image: Getty)
Manchester United slumped to a 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford, handing Ruben Amorim his first loss after a shambolic defensive display led by error-strewn goalkeeper Andre Onana.
Nikola Milenkovic took advantage of United’s zonal marking to rise highest and head home after just two minutes. But United responded well to the early setback and equalised through Rasmus Hojlund.
Both sides struck the woodwork as a breathless first half ended level and the drama continued after the break. Morgan Gibbs-White scored from 20 yards out after an error from Onana before Chris Wood became Forest’s all-time leading goalscorer in the Premier League when adding a third, with Onana again to blame.
Bruno Fernandes handed the hosts a lifeline on the hour mark with a fine effort from 15 yards out, but United’s efforts weren’t enough to avoid defeat. Express Sport assesses the Man United player ratings from Old Trafford.
Andre Onana endured a nightmare at Old Trafford (Image: Getty)
Andre Onana 2
An argument could be made that the Cameroonian has been United’s best player this season. Not this time. Onana was their worst – and it took some doing after a defensive collapse. The goalkeeper’s nerves told when when Gibbs-White’s innocuous effort, which was heading straight at him, somehow found the net. Then Wood’s harmless header bounced over the line, leaving Onana and his manager embarrassed to cap a nightmare display.
Leny Yoro 4
Played his part in the second Forest goal after a miscommunication with Fernandes and generally had the look of a deer in headlights. Hooked by his manager after 65 minutes.
Where was the towering centre-back for both goals? At 6ft 4, one would expect the Dutchman to be launching himself into valiant aerial challenges and tough blocks, but he was easily bypassed for all three goals. Hooked by Amorim on 65 minutes.
Lisandro Martinez 3
Jamie Redknapp brutally compared his defending to a ‘little boy’. While such a comment can be considered harsh if he was only referring to his height – something he can’t help – the pundit was correct in saying he was bullied off the ball. His defending on the line for the third goal was comical and only Amorim knows why he survived the Portuguese’s double substitution.
Lisandro Martinez endured a nightmare at the back (Image: Getty)
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Amad Diallo 6
Provided the assist for Fernandes when many other selfish players would have gone for goal. That was another example of the 22-year-old’s maturity, although he should’ve scored when trailing 3-2. Did his best to create chances late on.
Kobbie Mainoo 5
An oddly quiet afternoon for a talented youngster who is only just finding his feet again after several weeks out. The frenetic nature of the game was probably too much given his lack of fitness.
Manuel Ugarte 7
One of the few players to actually leave the pitch with some dignity. Ugarte made a great bursting run with the ball to carry the ball forward and then slid in Garnacho, who should’ve given him his first assist. The Uruguayan’s performance might well have been his best in a red shirt since his £50million switch, yet he was strangely taken off with 15 to go.
Diogo Dalot 5
When United crumble at the back, the Portuguese is usually made as a scapegoat. Of course, as a wing-back he wasn’t one of those culpable, but he did fail to defend the first goal from the corner.
Bruno Fernandes scored Man Utd’s second of the evening (Image: Getty)
The captain continues to thrive under Amorim and got a goal for his efforts. His sclever movement was the catalyst for the Hojlund goal, then he hit the upright with a deflected free-kick. But so often he digs United out of trouble and his lovely finish gave them hope. Some confusion as to why he was taken off with 15 minutes to go.
The Dane was in the right place at the right time to make it three goals in four appearances under Amorim, although the 21-year-old needs to offer a lot more in his overall game to be considered untouchable in this United side.
Alejandro Garnacho 5
Not his day. The youngster was lively throughout the first half before fluffing his lines when fed a chance by Ugarte. He shook his head in disbelief when Amorim brought him off after 58 minutes, but that could’ve easily been a display of frustration with himself as well as his manager.
Marcus Rashford came off the bench in the second half (Image: Getty)
Substitutes
Marcus Rashford (on 58′) 5
Not a cameo that will be worrying Garnacho, as he was inaccurate with his shooting, crossing and chance creation.
Harry Maguire (on 65′) 6
More solid than De Ligt in his 25-minute cameo, which is at least something for the centre-back.
Noussair Mazraoui (on 65′) 6
Tried to impose himself on the game and it’s a mystery why he didn’t start.
Joshua Zirkzee (on 76′) 5
Didn’t link up well with Hojlund in the two-man attack.
Mason Mount (on 76′) 5
Barely involved at all and subbing off Fernandes backfired.
