Manchester United’s recent victory over Nottingham Forest did not go according to manager Erik ten Hag’s plan. Finding themselves two goals down within four minutes was certainly not part of the script. However, fueled by the support of the Old Trafford crowd, they managed to mount a comeback that Ten Hag hopes will inject some much-needed life into their lackluster start to the season.
It remains a mystery how Manchester United have only lost one of their opening three games. Their ability to secure six points out of a possible nine is both surprising and fortunate. While their 3-2 win over Forest was undoubtedly thrilling, it poses the question of whether it is a genuine momentum-shifter for their campaign or merely a temporary cover-up for underlying weaknesses within the team.
Despite the disastrous start, Ten Hag chose to emphasize the positive aspects of the game. He acknowledged the team’s mistakes but praised their comeback, leadership, composure, and adherence to the game plan. According to Ten Hag, it is a clear indication that the team has the resilience to bounce back from setbacks. However, it remains unclear whether these qualities can compensate for the team’s shortcomings in the long run.
The match against Forest comes on the heels of controversies surrounding the handling of the Mason Greenwood case and injuries to Mason Mount and Luke Shaw. In the first few minutes of the game, it seemed as though Manchester United was determined to compound their woes further. Forest managed to score two goals in quick succession. The first was courtesy of Taiwo Awoniyi, who capitalized on a counter-attack from a United corner. The second goal came from Morgan Gibbs-White’s free-kick, hitting Willy Boly’s face and finding its way into the net. These calamitous goals summed up United’s woeful start to the match.
The second half of the game was filled with drama and chaos. Christian Eriksen pulled one back for United, but Forest would have regained their two-goal advantage if Gibbs-White’s shot hadn’t struck his teammate Awoniyi. The match continued to rollercoaster, with Casemiro scoring an equalizer, Joe Worrall receiving a red card, and Bruno Fernandes successfully converting a penalty to secure the win for United. The game was enthralling, but it failed to convince onlookers of United’s overall strength and stability.
Manchester United’s defensive vulnerabilities have been a cause for concern. Injuries to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia have further exacerbated the situation. Adding to their troubles, center-back Raphaël Varane was forced off at halftime and replaced by Victor Lindelöf. In midfield, Casemiro has struggled to assert himself, as evidenced by his performances against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur. Antony has also failed to make a significant impact on the game and was fortunate to remain on the pitch until the 85th minute. With summer signing Rasmus Hojlund still injured and Marcus Rashford more effective on the left-wing, Ten Hag was compelled to field Anthony Martial as a center forward. Unfortunately, Martial’s contribution was minimal, continuing his trend of underwhelming performances.
Forest manager Steve Cooper highlighted the fine margins that ultimately decided the game. He questioned the speed at which decisions were made, referring to the red card shown to Joe Worrall for pulling back Fernandes and the penalty awarded to United for a challenge on Rashford. Cooper expressed surprise at the quickness of these crucial decisions, suggesting that referees usually take more time to evaluate such game-changing incidents.
Despite narrow wins over Wolves and Forest, as well as a disappointing performance against Spurs, it is difficult to determine the true potential of this Manchester United team. Their upcoming match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium will provide greater insight and reveal whether they are genuine contenders for a top-four finish or can set their sights higher. Manchester United’s start to the season has left fans with more questions than answers, and their electrifying win over Forest does little to alleviate concerns about what lies ahead.
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