MANCHESTER UNITED fans have claimed they already have an advantage over Nottingham Forest due to the shock history between managers Ruben Amorim and Nuno Espirito Santo.
The Red Devils will aim to bounce back from Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat to Arsenal when they host Forest at Old Trafford on Saturday evening.
And some fans are convinced they already have a big advantage.
United head coach Amorim and Forest boss Espirito Santo last went head-to-head back in 2010 – when they were both players.
Amorim scored against his rival in the 2010 Taca de Liga Final as Benfica cruised to a 3-0 win against Porto.
His low-driven strike looked as though it would be saved by goalkeeper Espirito Santo in the ninth minute, but the Porto man instead tipped it into his own net.
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A clip of the goal re-emerged on social media ahead of Saturday’s match – and United fans were quick to poke fun at Nottingham Forest for it.
One person wrote: “1-0 up and the game hasn’t even started!
“Ruben Amorim scored the first in Benfica’s 3-0 win over Porto in the 2010 Taça de Liga Final, with none other than Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo having a howler in goal!”
Another claimed: “The mind games have started 😂.”
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While a third simply commented: “My gaffer.”
Amorim admitted he is still having to “manage expectations” after suffering his first defeat with United this week.
He said: “We have to manage expectations. So, after a bad result, be calm and continue doing the job that we are doing.
“It’s hard, because it’s very competitive, this league, and it changes all the time with just one result. Sometimes with progress, you’re doing so much and then you cab get this kind of result.
“We have to pass this phase, because before this Arsenal game, you were asking about the top four and now we return to this position [13th in the Premier League].
“If you see nowadays, in one week you have three games, that can change the image and the perception of the team – and in the table.
“One week can change a lot and we need to have consistency in the job. The result you don’t control, but you need to win three matches to see a big gap in the table.”
Man Utd ratings vs Arsenal
RUBEN AMORIM lost his first game since taking charge of Man Utd after a 2-0 loss to Arsenal at the Emirates.
See how the players rated…
ANDRE ONANA – 5
He was let off early in the game after a stray pass saw Gabriel Martinelli put the ball in the net before the linesman raised his flag.
Failed to command his area as 5″10 Jurrien Timber leapt highest to rattle the back of his net, before the ball floated to the back post for Arsenal to score their second set piece.
DIOGO DALOT – 6
Flashed a shot just wide at the end of the first half when he did eventually get forward.
Not bad defensively but more dangerous going forwards.
MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 6
Formed a good partnership with Maguire in the first half, and fans will be hoping he is okay after suffering a slight knock.
Needed to be a more commanding figure in the box to stop being dominated by The Gunners at set pieces.
HARRY MAGUIRE – 7
Was actually very impressive in the first half, with a solid showing.
Not at fault for Timber’s header hitting the back of the net, before he was replaced by Leny Yoro.
NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6
Playing as a left-sided centre-back he looked fairly comfortable, which is a credit to the Moroccan’s versatility.
That said, he still looked better off in the role that Malacia, then Dalot occupied tonight as a left-wingback.
TYRELL MALACIA – 3
Noticeably looked extremely physically weak up against Bukayo Saka on the left-hand side, before being booked for a kick out at Kai Havertz.
Offered nothing going forward and his link-up with Garnacho was practically non-existent. Hooked at half-time for the far more threatening Amad.
MANUEL UGARTE – 5
Another one who was booked in the first half, he failed to establish any kind of presence in the game and on the ball, looked pretty woeful.
Cleared a Joshua Zirkzee header off of his own line to stop Arsenal from doubling their lead early in the second half.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 4
This game was crying out for Bruno Fernandes to stamp his authority on it, and it seemed he just couldn’t quite get his foot on the ball to do so.
Played a deeper role today, next to Ugarte, which meant we didn’t see any of his attacking spark.
MASON MOUNT – 3
Mason Mount at right wing was an experiment tried and failed at Chelsea, which Amorim tried again tonight.
He was often lost in the half-space, meaning he was essentially useless going forwards. Hooked in the second half after a fairly abysmal showing.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 5
A very quiet first half, only brightened by one half-decent cross, was met by a second half where he was quickly subbed for Marcus Rashford.
Quiet.
RASMUS HOJLUND – 6
Battled well with the physical presence of William Saliba early on, but his side failed to create him any kind of chances.
Cut a frustrated figure for most of the match, and rightly so. There will be no point signing Gyokeres if they can’t create anything for him to score.
SUBS
AMAD (TYRELL MALACIA, HT) – 5
Was more direct and definitely an improvement on Malacia, albeit on the opposite flank.
However, still wasn’t able to be the difference which Ruben Amorim would’ve been looking for in this one.
MARCUS RASHFORD (MASON MOUNT, 72) – 5
Having been electric on the whole under Amorim, he wasn’t able to provide any kind of spark against an opponent which has been one of his favourites in recent years.
JOSHUA ZIRKZEE (ALEJANDRO GARNACHO, 72) – 4
After an impressive display last time out, he failed to offer anything to his side going forward today.
The closest he came to scoring was a dangerous header which almost saw him get an own goal on the scoresheet.
LENY YORO (HARRY MAGUIRE, 72) – 6
Looks like a pretty good defender on the whole, a tough game for a young centre-back, but he didn’t look out of place whatsoever.
ANTONY (RASMUS HOJLUND, 79) – 5
Played his part in a clever free-kick routine at the end of the game, before fluffing his lines and finding the gloves of David Raya.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
