Ruben Amorim: 'Everybody can say whatever they want' after latest Manchester United Premier League defeat
Updated 02/04/2025 at 12:35 GMT+1
Manchester United turned in a more cohesive performance at Nottingham Forest, but were undone by a moment of sheer brilliance from their former winger Anthony Elanga, his shimmering goal being a final-third feat that was beyond United's spluttering forwards. Boss Ruben Amorim bemoaned the "lack of quality" he had seen from his team in forward areas.
Amorim: Defeat at Forest was 'our fault', bemoans 'lack of quality' in final third
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ruben Amorim lamented his side's failure to stick to the script in their loss to Nottingham Forest, saying his men "helped" Nuno Espirito Santo's high-flying side to their 1-0 victory.
United looked more coherent for large parts of the Premier League encounter at the City Ground, but for all their 23 shots in response to Anthony Elanga's astonishing opener, just six were on target.
None of those were good enough to breach a customarily sturdy Forest backline, which showed just why they have only conceded 10 goals at home this term - a league low.
Amorim threw on Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount and even makeshift centre-forward Harry Maguire late on, but ultimately saw his side leave with nothing to remain 13th in the division.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Amorim said: "We controlled the game, but we already knew it, that this team can score goals out of nothing.
"When they score, we changed the game a little bit for what they want. We tried sometimes with good opportunities, but I think in the last third, the last cross, the last pass, the last assist wasn't there. Then [if] we don't have that, we cannot score goals.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/04/01/4115639-83450428-2560-1440.jpg)
Highlights: Man Utd stunned by Elanga solo brilliance
Video credit: TNT Sports
"We had some situations, but this season is like that. We tried, we had a lot of shots on goal, we pushed the opponent to the last third, but in the end, we had a lack of quality in the final third.
"Of course [I'm pleased with the team's character], but we need to win games and we deserved more in this game, that is clear. But it was our fault - we need to be better in the last third.
"We should have won this game, not even drawn, but in the end we lost three points."
Asked what disappointed him most about Elanga's goal, Amorim added: "Everything, because you know the characteristics of a team.
"You know that one goal can put them in a situation that they love, more space for transitions, and we have to score two goals to win a match. That is frustrating because it was the beginning of the game.
"We changed the game and we helped them to win three points."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/04/01/4115622-83450088-2560-1440.jpg)
'Sensational' Elanga goes the length of the pitch to stun Man Utd with a worldie
Video credit: TNT Sports
Amorim concluded by declaring that, despite their difficult results, he is seeing "progress" from his side.
"I see [progress] in the game," the Portuguese boss said. "I don't lie to myself, everybody can say whatever they want to say, I see some things, but we need to win games. We go to the next game.
"We have the Europa League and we have the next game in the Premier League and that is the focus."
Ferdinand pays tribute to Forest spirit
Rio Ferdinand hailed the spirit of Nottingham Forest after they sealed another big win in their outstanding season.
As Forest moved even closer to securing a dream place in next season's UEFA Champions League, Ferdinand told TNT Sports: "There's unreal spirit at this football club. The connection between the fans and the players, it spills over onto the pitch.
"That last clearance there, it just summed up this team. They believe in themselves, they trust each other, the responsibility they take individually [and] as a collective, man to man.
"They put everything out there on that pitch, they leave no stone unturned. They know everything the manager wants them to do and they carry it out to a man, in every detail.
"You add to that fight. This team are in a great position, third place in the league at the moment, and it's absolutely warranted."
Watch and stream Premier League and UEFA Champions League football live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Thoughts?