Ruben's Reds didn't take advantage of a Forest side who hadn't won in the league since opening day and hadn't scored at home in three. After three wins on the bounce, many expected a fourth.
What followed was arguably United's worst performance of the season after the calamaty at Brentford.
Maybe it's something to do with that kit? 😅
1. Sesko
He was crap. Let's not sugar coat it.
Pretty much everything he did broke down our attacks as his usual hold-up and link-up plays were lacking, he wasn't involved as much as in previous matches and his first touch was worse than Lukaku's.
There were two instances that stood out. That pass by Mbeumo was spot on but poor control by Sesko saw the chance disappear. The other was by Shaw who intercepted the ball, played a give-and-go, passed it into Sesko but he was too weak and the opponent shoved him off the ball before it went through to the 'keeper.
Cunha's reaction...👀.
But I don't want anyone to get on his back. He is still young, he's only been at United a couple of months and he's only going to get better with time and besides, everyone was poor in this game.
However, he does need to improve because despite some good performances over this recent run, there were still instances where this lack of control causes attacks to break down. We've complained many times about the striker not getting enough service but I don't think Ben can have too many complaints in this match. I was surprised he stayed on tbh.
He must do better.
2. Crosses
I thought we were improving on these. Guess not.
This isn't just in our box and defending them as we are so poor at crosses in an attacking sense too.
Clearly, we still cannot defend them. Both Forest's goals came from crosses and I felt that every time they put a ball into the box, something would happen. It's a bit frustrating because you would've thought that with five defenders, we'd be able to defend better.
I know that with Amad, his lack of height is a problem because teams will target him, just like Forest did. The back post has been an issue for several seasons and oppositions still look at that as a weakness hence balls to the back post.
You then look at the second goal and that was truly awful.
Dalot, I'm looking at you.
I don't think I need to explain to anyone how terrible he was in this game and indeed, how terrible he's been this season. The fact that Amorim took him off is a sign of what he thought about his fellow Portuguese as well because he very rarely substitutes him.
I feel we also don't get out to stop the cross quick enough as more often than not, the opposition have enough time to put a ball into the box.
In an attacking sense, we simply do not cross it as much as we should. The quality is lacking but at least if we do cross it a lot eventually, one of them will be perfect and something will come of it.
The only time we really looked to deliver the ball was when Dorgu came on. This is another indication of why he should be starting over Dalot. Yet even still, it wasn't enough and what makes things worse is that we have a tall striker who can jump higher than most but we still don't cross it.
3. Low Block Struggles
Another familar problem is trying to break down a low block.
We all knew that this was going to happen. It's why so many said that this would be a chance to see whether we have finally been able to address an area of our game that's needed drastic improvemnt.
Both Liverpool and Brighton play a style that suits us and allows United to play the game we want. With Forest, not so much. They play a style that is similar to what we've been doing in recent weeks and that is going root one, long ball and winning second balls.
This is why it was important to take the lead as it meant that Forest will have to open up. This will then give us the opportunity to play a game we prefer. When we got that lead this is what we all thought would happen.
I'm not sure why we're still finding it hard to break down such teams. With the signings of Mbeumo and Cunha, I really thought that they could make the difference. Perhaps they could if we got the ball to them (especially Cunha) a lot quicker and also if they had better performances.
The two goals came from a corner with one being a worldie. Other than that, where was the clear-cut chance/s?
With all that extra time on the training ground, you would think we'd been better suited to a side like Forest. We will be coming up against such oppositions more than the likes of Liverpool and Brighton who can play into our hands.
4. Switching off
Mentioning how we gave up that lead, the weak mentality and lack of concentration made a return as well.
After what was an average first half performance by United, going into the break a goal up would've papered over some of the cracks. This gives you that advantage and something to hold on to while Forest will have to open up.
But then...
How is this ☝ possible?!
Only United can do such a thing.
All of a sudden we're on the back foot for the entire second half and given our struggles to break down a stubborn defense, it obviously meant a tough second period ahead.
This switching off has been prevelant for many years and isn't something that's only appeared under Amorim. However, it's something that he will have to address should he want to be successful because this light switch mentality causes us BIG problems.
Why we still switch off like this, I don't know 🤷♂️.
5. The Positives
It may not have been the result and performance we wanted but to know that we still pikced up a point at least is something to be happy with.
United were poor and probably didn't deserve anything but that is what makes this point even greater. When you play this badly and get a result, it is a positive and it does show signs of growth as I believe in the past, we go on to lose that game.
Another positive is that this draw now gives us an opportunity to see whether this team is capable of bouncing back and going on another winning run.
It doesn't have to be a negative to get such a result because we do want to see this team grow and this now gives us the perfect opportunity.
Will they show some of that weak mentality like in the game or will they show us that that was the old United and we're now moving away from that?
Amad scores cracking volley in Man Utd's 2-2 draw with Forest | Amad via Manchester United official X (@ManUtd)