Manchester United find themselves trailing 2-0 against Nottingham Forest within just four minutes of play at Old Trafford.
Despite significant investments in players such as Mason Mount, Andre Onana, and Rasmus Hojlund, Erik ten Hag’s United has experienced yet another disappointing beginning to their season.
In their initial encounter against Wolverhampton Wanderers, they managed to narrowly secure a 1-0 victory, albeit with a stroke of luck. Last weekend, they delivered a lackluster performance, resulting in a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in North London.
Following their disappointing display against Tottenham Hotspur the previous weekend, Erik ten Hag was undoubtedly seeking a significantly better performance from his squad against Nottingham Forest. Forest, coming off a 2-1 victory against Sheffield United, were aiming to continue their momentum.
However, just two minutes into the match at Old Trafford, the stadium was left in a state of shock as Taiwo Awoniyi found the net for Forest. The goal resulted from an impressive counter-attack, initiated from a corner for Manchester United.
WHAT WAS ONANA doing in Awoniyi’s opening goal PLS TELL ME?#MUNNFO
pic.twitter.com/evzeAx4i3K— JaceAllen (@JaceAllenGoat) August 26, 2023
Merely two minutes following their first goal, Nottingham Forest extended their lead with a goal from defender Willy Boly. Boly headed the ball into the net from an exceptional free-kick delivered by Morgan Gibbs White.
The defending exhibited by Manchester United during this sequence left much to be desired. Midfielder Casemiro’s lack of challenge allowed Boly to head the ball in without any resistance, raising questions about the team’s defensive coordination.
🚨GOAL | Manchester United 0-2 Nottingham | Willy Bolypic.twitter.com/Z3U1QELpDz
— VAR Tático (@vartatico) August 26, 2023
It is an absolute nightmare start for Ten Hag in front of a packed Old Trafford.
Whilst speaking about the match on BBC’s Final Score, former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha said: “How have Forest got a 2-0 lead inside 10 minutes at Old Trafford?
“We spoke earlier about runners off the ball causing danger for United and Forest have used them to score on the counter from United’s very own attacking corner.”
Luckily for United, Christian Eriksen managed to drag his side back into the match as he made it 2-1 after 17 minutes.
As things stand, United will end the afternoon in 14th place with just three points from a possible nine. This is for sure not the start United fans wanted.