Manchester United�s struggles under Ruben Amorim continued as they fell to a 1-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Tuesday night, marking their 13th Premier League loss of the season. A superb early strike from former United forward Anthony Elanga secured a comfortable victory for Forest, piling further pressure on Amorim, who admitted he has little time to turn the club�s fortunes around.
The defeat leaves United teetering just one loss shy of their unwanted record of 14 Premier League defeats from the 2023-24 campaign. Languishing in 13th place, the Red Devils are yet to show signs of progress under their new manager, who took the helm earlier this season. Elanga�s clinical finish in the first half, following a swift counterattack, handed Forest the lead, and United�s inability to break down a resolute home defense underscored their ongoing woes.
�In Manchester United, you don�t have the time,� Amorim said post-match, acknowledging the intense scrutiny that comes with managing the club. �I will not have the time. We have to get it right fast.� He pointed to the early concession as a turning point, noting, �We start the game suffering a goal and put Nottingham in the place they want to be�defending with lots of men�then they have really fast players to make transitions.�
Despite the setback, Amorim felt his side controlled much of the game, particularly in the second half. �Even with that, we controlled the game quite well, especially in the second half. We push forward but again, in the final third, we were not good enough,� he explained. United registered 24 shots, but their lack of precision was epitomized by Alejandro Garnacho, who fired off six attempts without seriously troubling Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels.
Amorim leapt to the defense of the young Argentine, who has been a bright spark in an otherwise dismal season. �He is making everything,� the manager said. �He�s trying. Sometimes you have one day that you are doing the right things, but in the final third, you are not that good�that can happen.� He praised Garnacho�s work rate, adding, �The most important thing for me is that when he needs to run back, he is running back. Sometimes he is trying too much, but you cannot point to any player today.�
The loss highlights the scale of the challenge facing Amorim, who has struggled to instill consistency since replacing Erik ten Hag. Forest, meanwhile, celebrated a historic first-ever Premier League double over United, cementing their impressive campaign and strengthening their grip on a top-three spot. For United, the clock is ticking, with Amorim acutely aware that patience is a luxury rarely afforded at Old Trafford. �The pressure is too big sometimes,� he admitted, as fans and pundits alike await a swift turnaround that has yet to materialize.
