Manchester United player ratings: 3/10 drops stinker and 4/10 'same old story' in Forest defeat

Alejandro Garnacho and Joshua Zirkzee both struggled as Manchester United were defeated 1-0 by Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Tuesday night. Ruben Amorim made four changes to his starting line up for the match, with Leny Yoro, Patrick Dorgu, Casemiro and Zirkzee all selected to start.

Anthony Elanga came back to haunt his former side within the opening five minutes of the match, when he was given the freedom of the City Ground and found the back of the net after running two-thirds of the pitch. Despite the early setback, United played reasonably well and twice went close to an equaliser through Bruno Fernandes, while Diogo Dalot headed against the bar from a corner.

United posed an attacking threat throughout the encounter but there was no way through a Forest side who caused issues on the counter-attack and deployed the dark arts to secure a precious three points. Here is how we rated the United players at the City Ground:

Manchester United player ratings vs Nottingham Forest

Andre Onana - 6

Not much he could have done about the goal. He commanded the box well enough but his distribution was poor again. A fine save to deny a second goal but it was offside anyway.

Noussair Mazraoui - 5

He was done no favours by his teammates for the Anthony Elanga goal. Recovered well enough and was tidy on the ball for the remainder of the match.

Matthijs de Ligt - 6

A solid defensive display. He posed an aerial threat in both boxes and did well to handle Taiwo Awoniyi. Not many complaints about his on performance.

Leny Yoro - 6

An encouraging return to the starting line up. He was calm on the ball but had a few shaky moments when clearing the ball. An excellent sliding tackle late on.

Diogo Dalot - 5

One of his better wing-back performances. He had a lot of the ball and defended well. Almost scored when he headed against the bar from a corner.

Manuel Ugarte - 5

A lively return to the line up. He gave United energy and tenacity in central midfield but was sacrificed at half-time to bring Rasmus Hojlund on.

Casemiro - 6

A performance reminiscent of his debut campaign. He posed a creative threat and went close with a few headers as well. He might still have a role to play.

Patrick Dorgu - 4

He is still learning on the job and was partly at fault for the early Forest goal. Dorgu still posed an attacking threat and got forward well but his end product was poor.

Alejandro Garnacho - 3

This might have to be classed as a stinker. He cut a frustrated figure in the final third and was guilty of giving the ball away too easily. He looks low on confidence.

Bruno Fernandes - 7

He continued where he left off before the international break with an impressive individual display. Fernandes was at the heart of everything his side did well and posed a constant creative threat.

Joshua Zirkzee - 4

The same old story. He linked up well but didn’t offer any threat in the final third and is clearly not a striker. There was no surprise when he was moved to midfield at half-time.

How the substitutes rated

Rasmus Hojlund - 5

He instantly offered a greater threat in attack after he had been brought on at half-time. It is crucial he stays fit for the remainder of the season.

Christian Eriksen - 5

He had played well as a substitute this season but was unable to give United the control they needed from the bench. Picked up a clumsy yellow card.

Mason Mount - 6

It was great to see Mount back on the pitch again and he nearly scored a spectacular equalising goal.

Harry Maguire - 5

Maguire was brought on to play up front for the final few moments of the match and improbably failed to score from close range.

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