Manchester United's weakness from set pieces was exploited again as they fell to a 3-2 Premier League defeat by Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford on Saturday, continuing a rocky start to the reign of new head coach Ruben Amorim.
Having conceded from two corners to Arsenal in a 2-0 defeat in midweek, United went behind from another corner within two minutes as Forest defender Nikola Milenkovic headed home before Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund levelled in the 18th minute.
United started the second half equally badly as goalkeeper Andre Onana allowed Morgan Gibbs-White's bouncing effort to slip past him two minutes in and was then beaten by a looping Chris Wood header from a Gibbs-White cross seven minutes later.
Bruno Fernandes pulled one back with a blistering finish from just outside the box in the 61st but United could not find an equaliser. They stay 13th on 19 points, while Forest's first win at Old Trafford in 30 years moves them up to fifth on 25
Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest latest news
- Onana endures nightmare as Ruben Amorim dealt another defeat
- Amorim explains Fernandes latest as Man Utd boss delivers Onana verdict
Good night!
20:52 , Jonathan GorrieThanks for joining Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Manchester United’s defeat to Nottingham Forest.
Find our report and reaction below!
Amorim explains Fernandes latest as Man Utd boss delivers Onana verdict
20:43 , Jonathan GorrieManchester United manager Ruben Amorim has explained his decision to substitute Bruno Fernandes during Saturday’s 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest.
The United boss was dealt his second consecutive defeat on a chaotic day at Old Trafford, having lost 2-0 at Arsenal earlier this week.
Amorim’s side fell behind in the opening minute after Nikola Milenkovic powered home a header from a corner, though Rasmus Hojlund would respond.
Still, the visitors took the lead early in the second-half after Morgan Gibbs-White’s effort from just outside the box somehow evaded goalkeeper Andre Onana.
Onana endures nightmare as Ruben Amorim dealt another defeat
19:30 , Jonathan GorrieManchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana made two mistakes as Nottingham Forest recorded an entertaining 3-2 win at Old Trafford.
FT: Man Utd 2-3 Nottingham Forest
19:27 , Jonathan GorrieFT: It’s a hugely disappointing defeat for United, who have themselves to blame - albeit against an impressive Forest side.
Amorim has a lot to do...
Man Utd 2-3 Nottingham Forest
19:24 , Jonathan Gorrie94 mins: Martinez goes close with an acrobatic scissor kick!
Man Utd 2-3 Nottingham Forest
19:20 , Jonathan Gorrie90 mins: SEVEN ADDED MINUTES!
Man Utd 2-3 Nottingham Forest
19:17 , Jonathan Gorrie87 mins: Amad sees a late shot blocked in a crowded Forest box.
Feels as if United need something special here.
Man Utd 2-3 Nottingham Forest
19:13 , Jonathan Gorrie84 mins: It’s more of the same here. United with an awful lot of the ball but lacking any compelling ideas on how to break Forest down.
Man Utd 2-3 Nottingham Forest
19:06 , Jonathan Gorrie76 mins: United are running out of ideas, it seems.
Forest are looking very difficult to break down.
Man Utd 2-3 Nottingham Forest
19:02 , Jonathan Gorrie72 mins: It’s all United now!
Still, Forest are defending well. They’ve been marooned in their box and blocking any kind of avenue for a United forward.
Man Utd 2-3 Nottingham Forest
18:54 , Jonathan Gorrie64 mins: What a game!
United going for the equaliser here in a crazy game at Old Trafford.
GOAL! Man Utd 2-3 Nottingham Forest | Bruno Fernandes '61
18:50 , Jonathan Gorrie61 mins: GOAL!
Signs of life! Bruno Fernandes smashes one past Sels!
Man Utd 1-3 Nottingham Forest
18:48 , Jonathan Gorrie58 mins: A shame for Onana, who looked to have been over his early struggles.
Forest, understandably, have their tails up.
GOAL! Man Utd 1-3 Nottingham Forest | Chris Wood '53
18:44 , Jonathan Gorrie53 mins: GOAL!
Oh dear! Onana caught out again as Chris Wood’s header at the back post loops past him!
Man Utd 1-2 Nottingham Forest
18:42 , Jonathan Gorrie51 mins: United, again, have responded well.
Hojlund’s pooked effort is deflected wide.
GOAL! Nottingham Forest 2-1 Man Utd | Morgan Gibbs-White '47
18:36 , Jonathan Gorrie47 mins: GOAL!
And Forest re-take the lead!
Gibbs-White’s shot from just outside the box evades Onana! He should have done better.
Man Utd 1-1 Nottingham Forest
18:34 , Jonathan GorrieBack underway!
HT: Man Utd 1-1 Nottingham Forest
18:18 , Jonathan Gorrie45 mins: A good first-half comes to an end!
Man Utd 1-1 Nottingham Forest
18:12 , Jonathan Gorrie40 mins: Big save from Sels to deny Fernandes from a free-kick!
Man Utd 1-1 Nottingham Forest
18:11 , Jonathan Gorrie38 mins: United could do with half time. The tempo has dipped.
Man Utd 1-1 Nottingham Forest
18:07 , Jonathan Gorrie34 mins: The tempo has died down somewhat now, with Forest starting to move up the field. United need a breather.
Man Utd 1-1 Nottingham Forest
18:05 , Jonathan Gorrie32 mins: Jota cuts inside and sees his shot deflected over.
Forest growing.
Man Utd 1-1 Nottingham Forest
18:00 , Jonathan Gorrie26 mins: Jota hits the bar with a powerful header to give United a reminder.
Man Utd 1-1 Nottingham Forest
17:59 , Jonathan Gorrie21 mins: United have been much the better side since Forest’s early goal.
They’re dominating.
GOAL! Man Utd 1-1 Nottingham Forest | Ramsus Hojlund '17
17:51 , Jonathan Gorrie17 mins: GOAL!
And United are level! Ugarte plays in Fernandes but his shot is blocked by Sels.
Rasmus Hojlund, however, is there to tap in the rebound.
Man Utd 0-1 Nottingham Forest
17:48 , Jonathan Gorrie15 mins: United playing at a high tempo here, countering with speed.
Will be fascinating to see if they can keep this up.
Man Utd 0-1 Nottingham Forest
17:43 , Jonathan Gorrie10 mins: Decent enough response from United, who are seeing most of the ball - albeit without creating too much in the way of clear cut chances.
Man Utd 0-1 Nottingham Forest
17:38 , Jonathan Gorrie05 mins: United have had the better of it since the goal, Hojlund just unable to meet a cross while on the stretch.
Still, breaking down this Forest side will not be easy.
GOAL! Man Utd 0-1 Nottingham Forest | Nikola Milenkovic '01
17:35 , Jonathan Gorrie01 mins: GOAL!
A nightmare for United! Milenkovic powers in a header from an early Forest corner.
Man Utd vs Nottingham Forest
17:32 , Jonathan GorrieKICK-OFF!
Man Utd vs Nottingham Forest
17:30 , Jonathan GorrieA poignant moment of silence for Kath Phipps following the long-serving receptionist’' death at the age of 85.
Man Utd vs Nottingham Forest
17:17 , Jonathan GorrieHere come the players!
Matchday mode 🔛#MUFC || #MUNNFO pic.twitter.com/Nt3huvwyf0
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 7, 2024
Man Utd vs Nottingham Forest
16:44 , Jonathan GorrieIt’s a big day for Leny Yoro!
Full debut loading ⏳ pic.twitter.com/rpTX7HaYnK
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 7, 2024
Man Utd vs Nottingham Forest
16:26 , Jonathan GorrieA look inside the dressing room!
Seeing red 👀❤️🔥#MUFC || #MUNNFO
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 7, 2024
Confirmed Nottingham Forest lineup
16:22 , Jonathan GorrieNottingham Forest XI: Sels; Aina, Murillo, Milenkovic, Williams; Anderson, Yates; Jota, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood
Subs: Miguel, Morato, Awoniyi, Toffolo, Dominguez, Ward-Prowse, Elanga, Sosa, Boly
Confirmed Manchester United lineup
16:19 , Jonathan GorrieMan Utd XI: Onana; De Ligt, Martinez, Yoro; Amad, Ugarte, Mainoo, Dalot; Fernandes, Garnacho, Hojlund
Subs: Bayindir, Maguire, Malacia, Mazraoui, Casemiro, Eriksen, Mount, Rashford, Zirkzee
Victor Lindelof injury update amid double boost before Nottingham Forest clash
16:05 , Jonathan GorrieManchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has revealed Victor Lindelof will soon be available for selection.
The defender is yet to feature under the Portuguese tactician after limping out of Sweden’s Nations League win over Slovakia during the international break because he suffered a groin injury.
Rio Ferdinand names five players who already don't 'fit' under Ruben Amorim
15:45 , Jonathan GorrieManchester United legend Rio Ferdinand admits he fears for five players who may not “fit” Ruben Amorim’s style of play.
The 39-year-old has quickly installed the 3-4-3 system upon which he built much of his success in Portuguese football since replacing Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford last month.
While Amorim was keen to stress United could not play exactly like his all-conquering Sporting side prior to his arrival in England, a similar formation has been used throughout his tenure thus far.
The United boss went unbeaten in his first three games in charge of the club but was dealt his first defeat following Wednesday’s 2-0 loss at Arsenal.
Ruben Amorim makes admission over best line-up amid heavy squad rotation
15:39 , Jonathan GorrieRuben Amorim says he’s close to knowing his best Manchester United line-up.
Appointed following the sacking of Erik ten Hag in late October, the Portuguese tactician officially started work as United’s head coach on November 11, 2024 and has overseen four games across all competitions since.
His debut game in the dugout ended in a 1-1 draw away at Ipswich Town which was followed up by back-to-back home wins over Bodo/Glimt - in the Europa League - and the 4-0 thrashing of Everton.
Manchester United issue statement on Nottingham Forest game amid Storm Darragh weather concerns
15:29 , Jonathan GorrieManchester United insist their Premier League match against Nottingham Forest is expected to go ahead as planned on Saturday afternoon.
Potential concern over the fixture at Old Trafford may arise after the lunchtime Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park was postponed on safety grounds due to adverse weather conditions caused by Storm Darragh.
Man Utd vs Nottingham Forest: Latest Premier League odds today
15:22 , Jonathan GorrieMan Utd to win: 3/4
Draw: 27/10
Nottingham Forest to win: 15/4
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
Man Utd vs Nottingham Forest: Premier League score prediction today
15:04 , Jonathan GorrieUnited did look solid enough at times against Arsenal before being outdone by set-pieces. While it remains difficult to fully judge them during an early point of Amorim’s tenure, a home win does not feel out of the question here.
Manchester United to win, 2-1.
Nottingham Forest team news vs Man Utd today
15:03 , Jonathan GorrieForest, meanwhile, are still missing long-term absentees Ibrahim Sangare and Danilo.
Man Utd team vs Nottingham Forest today
15:03 , Jonathan GorrieAmorim has vowed to rotate as the fixtures continue to pile up thick and fast. Marcus Rashford, Amad Diallo and Leny Yoro all started on the bench against Arsenal and could be pushing for starts here.
Lisandro Martinez and Kobbie Mainoo are both back from suspension for United. Jonny Evans, Luke Shaw and Victor Lindelof are all sidelined through injury.
Amad Diallo and Marcus Rashford could both come back into the lineup too after Amorim sprung a couple of selection surprises by starting both Tyrell Malacia and Mason Mount against Arsenal.
Man Utd vs Nottingham Forest: TV channel and live stream for Premier League today
15:02 , Jonathan GorrieTV channel: The game will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra HDR. Coverage starts at 5pm GMT.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers will also be able to watch online via the Sky Go app.
LIVE coverage: Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog.
Welcome
15:00 , Jonathan GorrieGood afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Manchester United’s clash with Nottingham Forest.
Kick-off at Old Trafford is at 3pm GMT.
