Nottingham Forest 0-1 Man United: Casemiro to the Rescue!
After Manchester United’s 2-1 defeat to Fulham last time out in the Premier League, Erik ten Hag faced some more criticisms about his tactical setup. Sky Sports analyst Jamie Carragher intimated how exposed ten Hag’s side appeared to be in midfield area’s. United’s manager seemed to hit back after suggesting the Liverpool legend’s analysis was very subjective given the time chosen to speak on such a topic.
Their opponents today in Nottingham Forest are two time FA Cup champions dating all the way back to 1898 and 1959 most recently. Nuno Espírito Santo’s side have already enjoyed a league victory against the Red Devils back in late December and were searching for gold once more to stamp another quarter final fixture, last achieved in the 2021/22 campaign.
Manchester United’s bright start to the game culminated in some decently orchestrated opportunities, all missed by Antony hitting the crossbar and Scott Mctominay’s header directed straight at Matt Turner. Marcus Rashford also skied a half chance from inside the area. All finishes that have summed up the near toothless attacking execution this season. One that has the fourth worst shot conversion rate amongst all Premier League sides.
As the half expanded, Nottingham Forest exerted their counter attacking threats in Divock Origi, Morgan Gibbs-White, Anthony Elanga and the powerful Taiwo Awoniyi. Threat it was all to be at least as strikes also didn’t turn to goals for the home team.
Further motivation of an opener came in the form of Awoniyi and Origi both having shots saved by a slightly more composed Andre Onana since his return from international duty at The AFCON. Origi’s effort came after his less elegant but effective waltz into enemy territory. Nonetheless, danger signs plenty for Manchester United.
The game itself seemed to be heading in the direction of utter frustration. Chance after chance went begging, but United also had themselves to blame for a sluggish tempo and poor production in attacking areas. patches of Assiduousness in small spurts can only take a team so far before high levels of quality need to become a permanent attribute. In spite of that, it was the aforementioned side who found an all important breakthrough with Casemiro heading home his fifth of the season overall.
Slightly controversial given the fact that Raphael Varane could’ve been deemed offside for blocking off Forest defenders in the area, but fortune favoured the team in white and red this time. Not the other way around.
The Red Army’s pursuit to avenge their final loss last season continues with a quarter final tie against North West rivals Liverpool looming on the 16th March. Next up however, they’ll have to find a way to defeat their dominant counterparts in blue, Manchester City on Sunday at the Etihad. Unbeaten in 12 league games.
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