Manchester United ended 2023 in disastrous fashion as were deservedly beaten 2-1 by Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
It was another display where the Red Devils lacked attacking impetus and creativity against a Forest side who had won just twice at home all season. Marcus Rashford's late goal had given hope of another dramatic comeback, four days after overturning a two-goal deficit against Aston Villa, but Morgan Gibbs-White snatched the draw away just minutes later as he netted on the counter.
It was a slow start at the City Ground, with just two shots in the opening 25 minutes. But it was Forest who had the better opportunities and carried a threat down the left via Ola Aina and Nicolas Dominguez. The latter twice saw shots blocked in the first 30 minutes, as did Danilo, while Chris Wood shot over with his left.
United’s attackers were unstoppable in the second half of the Boxing Day win over Villa, but in the East Midlands they looked to be enduring a post-Christmas hangover. That United’s first shot came via Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s blocked effort in the 33rd minute was telling.
A penny for the thoughts of Ineos’ Sir Dave Brailsford watching from the stands alongside Sir Alex Ferguson. Sir Jim Ratcliffe has agreed to pay a pretty penny for his minority stake in United and the display was an example of how much work is needed.
Without a natural striker, Rashford was deployed through the middle and he had the fewest touches of any United player in the first half, with the midfield moving the ball aimlessly from side to side, rather than getting in behind the hosts’ well-organised backline.
Scott McTominay was introduced at the break to try and alter the team’s build-up play. His first real involvement was to smack the ball off Anthony Elanga and nearly into his own goal.
But it wasn’t long until the hosts took a well-deserved lead via the lively Dominguez. Elanga and Gonzalo Montiel combined down Forest’s right and picked out the Argentine, who was afforded far too much space in the middle and swept home his shot.
So often this season, a moment of inspiration has been needed for United to emerge victorious on the road. Diogo Dalot found one at Bramall Lane in October and he nearly provided another, just moments before Dominguez’s goal, when his shot from outside the box struck the post. Alejandro Garnacho also stole the show against Everton with a scissor kick goal, but a similar attempt at the City Ground ballooned well over.
The other route for United away from home has been errors, and a giant one gifted the Red Devils an equaliser on 78 minutes when Garnacho intercepted Matt Turner’s pass out of defence and squared it to the eagerly waiting Rashford, who coolly slotted the ball beyond the dejected Forest keeper.
That lead lasted just four minutes though as Gibbs-White grabbed the winner. The attack began with Turner palming away Christian Eriksen’s powerful strike and seconds later, Forest’s no.10 had placed the ball beyond Andre Onana. United switched off, as a midfield which has habitually been pried apart this season, failed to track back and allowed Gibbs-White ample time to pick his spot.
United rallied somewhat in 10 minutes of stoppage-time, with Turner redeeming his earlier error as he acrobatically clawed away a deflected Bruno Fernandes volley and Amad's shot, after he cut inside and fired at goal. But United couldn't find a way past the American, as Forest held on to take the three points.
The was the 14th defeat of the season for United, the most before the turn of the year since 1930/31, when United finished bottom. Here's how we rated the players...
1. Andre Onana- 6
Didn't have much to do and faced just two shots on target all evening.
2. Aaron Wan-Bissaka- 4 (off 90)
Uncharacteristically poor defensively and made several mistakes at the back.
3. Raphael Varane- 6
Was one of the better performers at the heart of defence, although he was at fault for the first goal and played Montiel onside.
4. Jonny Evans- 6
Had an ongoing battle with Wood, and didn't give much away at the back.