Report, reaction and more
Ruben Amorim: "This is a long journey"
“It was a tough game,” says United’s manager in an interview with the BBC. “We started really bad, the first play we suffered a goal and then it’s hard to try to fight. We then controlled the game and had a lot of situations.
“We improved the movement in the last third. We managed to draw the game and then at half-time we were ready to go for the win and then started really bad. Two goals. Then we tried a lot of things with not a lot of quality. We didn’t have many situations to score. Tough game in a tough moment but we have to continue the job. This is a long journey. We are improving in some aspects. We have to win games to help us improve the team.”
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Chris Wood: “Everybody know the emphasis on set-pieces these days,” says Forest’s Kiwi striker, of his side’s opening goal scored by Nikola Milenkovic. “It’s huge, a big avenue for and against. We did well today.”
On his goal: “Morgs [Gibbs-White] has put in a fantastic delivery, he’s got quality the boy, it’s just about finding areas to cause confusion.”
Manchester United 2-3 Nottingham Forest
Match report: To Ruben Amorim’s recent buzzwords of “suffer” and “storm”, Manchester United’s manager can add “defending” following a rearguard horror show culpable for all three Nottingham Forest goals. Jamie Jackson reports from a rain-drenched Old Trafford …
Morgan Gibbs-White: “It’s hard to put into words but we have to keep believing,” says the Nottingham Forest midfielder in an interview with Sky Sports. “Keep believing in the process, keep believing in the manager and keep believing we’ve got a good enough squad at this level. We’ve shown it away at Anfield and we’ve shown it again tonight. We’ll be disappointed we’ve conceded two goals but we’ll be pleased that we’ve managed to see the game out and manage it.”
Ruben Amorim has a job on his hands: Quite apart from the fact that Manchester United’s players don’t look sufficiently fit for the kind of game their new manager wants them to play, it is also worth noting that Forest didn’t actually need to play especially well to win at Old Trafford this evening. Nuno’s side were good, of course, but I’ve seen them play a lot better this season.
Full-time: Man United 2-3 Nottingham Forest
Peep! Peep! Peeeeeeeep! The game ends at Old Trafford, where Manchester United have lost their second consecutive Premier League game. They stay in 13th place, while the visitors go fifth in the table courtesy of an exceptional and thoroughly deserved win in a fairly decent game.
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90+6 min: Onana hoys a free-kick from just inside his own half forward, taking an age to do so and wasting valuable seconds. Caught by the wind, the ball sails out of play. It’s all over at Old Trafford, where Forest have won for the first time in 30 years.
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90+5 min: Mount takes the free-kick wide on the right and his delivery fails to clear the first man. Dominguez heads the ball away, but only as far as Rashford. His volley is put out for a corner off Milenkovic. From the sert-piece, Martinez goes close with another volley but sends the ball over.
90+4 min: Amad Diallo is caught by Neco Williams, who tripped the United winger as he threatened to escape down the right touchline. Yellow card.
90+3 min: A poor delivery into the Forest penalty area from Marcus Rashford fails to pick out either Rasmus Hojlund or Joshua Zirkzee, who were both lurking with intent.
90+2 min: Nottingham Forest substitution from a couple of minutes ago: Taiwo Awoniyi on for Callum Hudson Odoi.
90 min: We’ll have seven minutes of extras … and the rest.
89 min: A speculative Mazraoui pass from deep carries all the way through to Matz Sels, who proceeds to dilly-dally and delay.
87 min: A decent Dalot cross into the Forest penalty area is headed clear and Diallo’s follow-up shot is blocked.
85 min: Zirkzee and Dalot link up well down the left wing to win a corner for United. Nothing comes of it, as Sels plucks the inswinger from the sky and drops to the ground in a bid to waste a few precious seconds.
84 min: Mazraoui is back on the pitch, Rashford sends a cross into the Forest penalty from the right and Dalot heads harmlessly into the arms of Matz Sels. This is quite easy for Forest but there’s only one goal in it.
81 min: Play resumes after a short pause, then stops again as Manchester United win a free-kick when a rogue Callum Hudson-Odoi elbow catches Mazraoui in the face. With claret dripping from his nose, he’s forced off the pitch for a clean-up. He doesn’t want to go.
80 min: There’s a break in play so one of our match officials can receive some IT assistance after his comms gizmo ceases to function. “Have you tried turning it off and turning it on again etc, and so on”.
78 min: Forest double-substitution: Anthony Elanga and Nicolas Dominguez on for goalscorers Chris Wood and Morgan Gibbs-White.
75 min: Manchester United double-substitution: Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount come on, with Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte making way.
74 min: Lisandro Martinez tries his luck with a speculative long-range effort from distance but it’s blocked by Morato. United look a little bit like they are running out of ideas but are about to bring on a couple more substitutes to freshen things up.
72 min: Manuel Ugarte coughs up cheap possession to Forest in midfield, but Gibbs-White is unable to capitalise. United win the ball back.
70 min: Murillo fails to intercept a Rashford cross into the Forest penalty area but is helped out by his mate, Milenkovic.
69 min: Kobbie Mainoo runs into traffic on the edge of the Forest penalty area as he tries to barge his way through and loses the ball.
68 min: Nottingham Forest susbtitution: Morato replaces Jota Silva as Forest attempt to protect their lead by bringing on an extra central defender.
65 min: Manchester United double-substitution: Harry Maguire and Noussair Mazraoui on for De Ligt and Yoro.
63 min: Amad did well in the build-up to that goal, receiving a pass from Fernandes in the Forest penalty area, chopping inside Neco Williams and playing it back to the Portuguese, whose shot was curling away from Sels.
GOAL! Man United 2-3 Nottingham Forest (Fernandes 62)
Manchester United score! Fernandes starts and finishes a move, linking up with Amad before firing the ball home past Matz Sels from a couple of yards outside the area.
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60 min: Chris Wood gets in behind De Ligt and sends a low diagonal effort across the face of goal and trundling wide of the far post. He’ll be disappointed with that but was offside anyway.
58 min: Manchester United substitution: Marcus Rashford comes on for Alejandro Garnacho, who is not happy at being replaced. He sits on the steps of the dugout, rempoving his boots while shaking his head. He’s played quite well, to be fair, so his displeasure is understandable.
57 min: Their tails up and Manchester United reduced to a collective nervous wreck, Forest attack again with Hudson-Odoi on the ball. It finds its way to Gibbs-White, who fires over the bar on this occasion.
55 min: A tip of the hat to Morgan Gibbs-White, who picked out Wood with a whipped cross to the far post from the right in the build-up to that weird goal.
GOAL! Man United 1-3 Nottingham Forest (Wood 54)
Forest extend their lead! Onana looks to be at fault again, bamboozled by a looping far post header from Chris Wood that creeps inside the other upright … mainly because Lisandro Martinez thought it was going wide and allowed it to do so.
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51 min: The original error leading to that goal came when Bruno Fernandes and Leny Yoro got their wires crossed, allowing Callum Hudson-Odoi to steal the ball and play it inside to Gibbs-White, who spanked his low shot past Onana from outside the penalty area.
50 min: An outstanding performer for United this season, Andre Onana will not want want to see that one again. The ball seemed to go right through him, as if he was a hologram. Perhaps he expected Morgan Gibbs-White to aim for the corner, rather than smack the ball straight down the centre.
GOAL! Man United 1-2 Nottingham Forest (Gibbs-White 47)
Forest restore their lead! Morgan Gibbs-White fires a low, straight shot from just outside the area past Andre Onana, who looked like he’d be able to throw his hat on the ball but somehow lets it fizz past him. The United goalkeeper looked weirdly wrongfooted when he had no reason to be. The shot was straight at him!
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48 min: There are on changes in personnel on either side, in case you’re wondering.
Second half: Man United 1-1 Nottingham Forest
46 min: Play resumes with United on the front foot. Ugarte tries to slip Dalot in behind with a nicely weighted ball to the byline but the United right wing-back is unable to keep it in play.
Half-time: Man United 1-1 Nottingham Forest
It’s all square at the break: Nikola Milenkovic gave Forest an early lead with his first goal for the club, taking advantage of United’s defensive frailties at corners to nod his side ahead.
Rasmus Hojlund equalised as United asserted their dominance, while both Jota Silva and Bruno Fernandes struck the woodwork. The sides are level at Old Trafford, which seems about fair.
45 min: Matz Sels wellies the ball upfield, where De Ligt leaps to send a not entirely convincing header back in the direction of his goalkeeper, Andre Onana.
42 min: Replays of that Fernades free-kick show Matz Sels got a couple of finger-tips to the ball before it thumped off the cross-bar.
41 min: Ugarte tries to play Garnacho through on goal with a ball over the top but Murillo tidies up at the back for Forest.
39 min: … and whips his effort off the woodwork. It’s a great effort but no cigar for the Portuguese midfielder on this occasion.
38 min: Milenkovic needlessly shoves Hojlund to the ground and concedes a free-kick about five yards outside the Forest penalty area, a little left of centre. Fernandes stands over the ball …
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36 min: An update on the worrying news coming out of West Ham earlier today. The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg reports that Michail Antonio is in a stable condition in hospital after being involved in a traffic accident. According to Jacob, West Ham say their striker is “conscious and communicating”.
33 min: Jota Silva is in the thick of all the current action and on this occasion sends a shot over the bar, the ball taking a crucial deflection off De Ligt on its way into the Stretford End. From the corner, Murillo fires narrowly wide after getting on the end of a Silva pull-back from the byline after United had failed to clear the inswinger.
32 min: Fernandes whips the ball towards Hojlund, who had darted towards the near post. Anderson heads the ball out for a corner and Fernades’s subsequent delivery is poor.
31 min: Jota Silva is booked for dragging out of Alejandro Garnacho’s shirt as the Manchester United winger tried to escape his clutches. Free-kick for United, wide on the left.
30 min: Fernandes whips the dead ball to the far post, where it’s cleared by the head of Elliot Anderson.
28 min: Garnacho is bodychecked by Ryan Yates on the right side of the Forest penalty area, just outside, and wins a free-kick for United.
27 min: Jota Silva heads against the woodwork from about 10 yards out after connecting with a Ryan Yates header across the face of goal at a Nottingham Forest free-kick. Onana was beaten but the post saved United.
25 min: Jota Silva ships what looks like an accidental elbow in the chops from Mathijs De Ligt as the duo contest a loose ball and goes to ground. The Forest winger checks his lip for blood, doesn’t appear to find any and the “foul” goes unpunished.
22 min: Leny Yoro plays the ball to Amad on the right touchline as United build from the back. They advance upfield and on the other side of the pitch, Diogo Dialot tries to pick out Hojlund with a chipped pass from near the byline. Forest clear.
21 min: Amad tries to cut into the Forest penalty area from the right but is dispossessed by Neco Williams.
20 min: With United’s fans imploring their players to get the ball forward quicker, Ugarte took their advice on board with a splendid defence-splitting pass. Garnacho’s first touch wasn’t great, allowing Sels to come out and block his effort. The ball broke to Hojlund, who had an empty goal to slot into from about seven yards out.
GOAL! Man United 1-1 Nottingham Forest (Hojlund 18)
It’s all square: Rasmus Hojlund scores into an empty goal on the follow-up after Alejandro Ganracho had been played in behind by Manuel Ugarte and had his shot on goal smothered by Sels.
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16 min: United are dominating possession for now but look a bit uncertain about what to do with the ball when they have it. Their build-up play is a little slow and ponderous.
14 min: Nothing comes of the free-kick but United win a corner after a ball hooked back into the penalty area from a tight angle by Martinez had to be palmed over the bar by Sels. Forest clear their lines.
13 min: Alejandro Garnacho dribblers to the byline, where he is dispossessed by Ola Aina. Moments later, Kobbie Mainoo is shoved in the back by Jota Silva, who concedes a free-kick near the byline, halfway between the upright and the corner flag.
12 min: Bruno Fernandes tries to test Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels with a shot from distance but his effort fizzes harmlessly wide.
11 min: The rain continues to bucket down and Ruben Amorim is soaked as he paces up and down along the edge of his technical area.
10 min: Ola Aina is well placed to head a Bruno Fernandes cross into the Forest penalty area from the left out for a throw-in on the other side of the pitch.
9 min: Ryan Yates gives the ball away inside his own half, allowing Manuel Ugarte to try and send United on their way back upfield.
7 min: Diogo Dalot sends a decent cross skidding through the Forest penalty area but neither Fernandes nor Hojlund were anticipating it and don’t make the sprints required to get on the end of it.
5 min: United win a free-kick just inside the Forest half out by the touchline. Still reeling from that early set-back, they play it back inside their own half and try to build from the back.
3 min: Having conceded two goals from corners against Arsenal in midweek, Manchester United come unstuck at another set-piece. Elliot Anderson’s delivery was towards the near post, where with four men in red shirts looking on, Milenkovic leaped to power home his first goal for Forest from about five yards out.
GOAL! Man United 0-1 Nottingham Forest (Milenkovic 2)
Forest lead! The ball’s sent in from the corner flag and Nikola Milenkovic rises unchallenged to head past Andre Onana.
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2 min: Callum Hudson-Odoi goes on a marauding run through the centre, beating two men before running into traffic. Forest win the first corner of the game.
Man United v Nottingham Forest is go ...
1 min: After a minute’s applause for Kath Phipps, the game begins with Forest kicking off. Their players are disguised as Manchester City, wearing light blue shirts, shorts and socks. It is pouring rain at Old Trafford, a not uncommon phenomenon.
Not long now: The teams are out on the pitch, with Bruno Fernandes and the former Manchester United player and Nottingham Forest subsitute Anthony Elanga bringing out wreaths to commemorate Kath Phipps, United’s much-loved receptionist, who has passed away. United’s players are currently posing for a pre-match phtograph of them holding up a banner in Kath’s honour. May she rest in peace.
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Ruben Amorim: “It is a big stadium, so I think we are protected a little bit against the wind that can affect the game, set-pieces and also the longer balls but we are here to compete and win the game,” says Manchester United’s manager in an interview with Sky Sports upon being asked if he’s had to factor the adverse weather conditions into his thinking for this evening’s game.
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Today’s Premier League results
Everton P-P Liverpool
Aston Villa 1-0 Southampton
Brentford 4-2 Newcastle United
Crystal Palace 2-2 Manchester City
Manchester United v Nottingham Forest
Ruben Amorim: "We are not a massive team"
Looking ahead to today’s game, Ruben Amorim told reporters attending his pre-match press conference where he thinks his new club currently sit in the cosmic scheme of things.
“We are a massive club but we are not a massive team,” he said. “We know it, so there is no problem to say it. We’re not one of the best teams in the league. We have to say and think that clearly.
“But [in] our past, our club is maybe the best one in the league. So here we have a problem. We have to focus on the little details, then we will improve as a team.”
Nuno Espirito Santo: "We are ready"
As Forerst prepared for their second Premier League match in Manchester in the space of four days, their manager acknowledged they were tough assignments to face back-to-back but insisted his side would be as well prepared as possible for this evening’s game, despite being far from sure who will line-up for their hosts.
“We are ready,” he said. “Let’s recover and fight for the game. [Manchester Unbited’s] results are difficult to predict because Ruben in this moment is changing a lot. I think he is trying to get to know players better. The idea is there, we don’t know exactly who is going to play, but for sure they have quality players.
“They are quality and have talented players. The shape is there. The personnel and the players we cannot identify who is going to start but our approach is always the same. Let’s focus on the things they have been doing but also let’s look at getting the advantage. It is always a tough place to go but let’s focus on being positive on the game.”
Today’s match officials
Referee: Darren England.
Assistants: Mat Wilkes and Akil Howson.
Fourth official: Josh Smith.
VAR: Paul Tierney.
Assistant VAR: Sian Massey-Ellis.
West Ham: Although light on detail for now, the London club have issued a statement saying that their striker Michail Antonio has been involved in a serious road traffic accident.
“West Ham United can confirm striker Michail Antonio has today been involved in a road traffic accident,” it reads. “The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the club are with Michail, his family and friends at this time. The club will issue an update in due course.”
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Those teams: Leny Yoro makes his first start for Manchester United, with Harry Maguire making way in defence. Amad and Kobbie Mainoo are back in the United starting line-up, with Mason Mount, Tyrell Malacia and Noussair Mazraoui all dropping to the bench.
For Nottingham Forerst, Neco Williams and Elliot Anderson come back into the side, with Orel Mangala and Nicolas Dominguez dropping out. Alex Moreno is injured.
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Man United v Nottingham Forest line-ups
Manchester United: Onana, Amad, Yoro, De Ligt, Martinez, Ugarte, Mainoo, Dalot, Fernandes, Garnacho, Hojlund.
Subs: Bayindir, Maguire, Malacia, Mazraoui, Casemiro, Eriksen, Mount, Rashford, Zirkzee.
Nottingham Forest: Sels, Williams, Milenkovic, Murillo, Aina, Yates, Anderson, Jota, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Wood.
Subs: Miguel, Morato, Awoniyi, Toffolo, Dominguez, Ward-Prowse, Elanga, Sosa, Boly.
Early team news
Lisandro Martinez and Kobbie Mainoo are both available for selection after sitting out Manchester United’s midweek defeat at the hands of Arsenal on the Naughty Step, but Manchester United defenders Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans are all sidelined with injury.
Leny Yoro could also be ready for his first Premier League start after playing 30 minutes against Arsenal upon his return from the fracture he picked up in pre-season.
Nottingham Forest continue to cope in the absence of Danilo and Ibrahim Sangare but otherwise have a clean bill of health.
Premier League: Man Utd v Nottingham Forest
Despite the severe buffeting Wales and the north-west of England are taking from Storm Darragh, this evening’s match between Manchester United and Nottingham Forest looks set to go ahead, although the players of both sides will almost certainly have to contend with rain and winds of up to 40 miles per hour as they go about their business.
Manchester United come into this match on the back of Wednesday night’s defeat at the hands of Arsenal, while Forest will hope to bounce back from their loss at the Etihad Stadium, where they were beaten 3-0 by Manchester City. Kick-off at Old Trafford is at 5.30pm (GMT) but stay tuned in the mean time for team news and weather updates.
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