Ruben Amorim slams 'really bad' Man Utd stars and explains Fernandes substitution

Ruben Amorim hit out at the “really bad” start his Manchester United side made against Nottingham Forest. The Red Devils fell behind in the second minute when Nikola Milenkovic headed home from a corner.

“Tough game. We started really bad, the first play we suffered a goal and then it’s hard to try to fight. We then controlled the game and had a lot of situations,” Amorim said.

Rasmus Hojlund’s goal ensured United went into half-time level. But they conceded early in the second half too, when Morgan Gibbs-White’s tame shot down the middle of the goal was spilled into the net by Andre Onana.

Chris Wood added a third to wrap up the win, despite Bruno Fernandes’ late consolation.

“We improved the movement in the last third. We managed to draw the game and then at half-time we were ready to go for the win and then started really bad. Two goals. Then we tried a lot of things with not a lot of quality,” Amorim added.

“We didn’t have many situations to score. Tough game in a tough moment but we have to continue the job.

“This is a long journey. We are improving in some aspects. We have to win games to help us improve the team.

“We are in the start of something so big that we pay attention to every detail. We already know it’s a big job so we have to continue.”

Amorim removed his most creative player, Fernandes, on the 76th minute, despite United being 3-2 down.

Mason Mount was his replacement and the United boss has explained his thinking.

“Bruno [Fernandes] was too tired and I wanted [Mason] Mount to play that position of second midfielder who opens a bit on the left,” he said.

“Josh [Zirkzee] plays with Rasmus [Hojllund] to have combinations, [Leny] Yoro goes off because we can’t give him too many minutes.

“We put Harry Maguire on because of set-pieces, to control more who was winning all the first balls, the only way to attack Nottingham was transitions, to try and win first and second balls. When Harry was on the pitch he won all the first balls.”