Man Utd drew 2-2 with Nottingham Forest: ups and downs under Amorim

Amad Diallo helped Manchester United leave the City Ground with a point after a 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest, a night that exposed the polarities of Ruben Amorim's side: effective set-pieces but a vulnerable left-wing defence.

Key moment: Amad's volley and the value of the second ball

In the 81st minute, from a corner kick that was cleared, Amad Diallo moved in the right rhythm, volleying from the edge of the penalty area to equalize 2-2. The goal not only spoke of the winger's technical qualities but also showed that Man Utd knew how to organize the "second ball" recovery after set pieces - a detail they had lacked at the beginning of the season.

Fixed post: discipline, distance and landing point

Man Utd opened the scoring in the 34th minute from a corner well taken by Bruno Fernandes, which Casemiro headed home. The move was a prime example of improved organisation: tight team spacing, good drop points and calculated timing of Casemiro’s movements, reflecting the discipline Amorim is building.

Amad’s equaliser also came from a corner kick. Despite Forest clearing the ball, Man Utd still controlled the second line to deliver the finishing blow. Both goals came from set pieces – the Red Devils’ clearest bright spot in this match.

Dark spots: fragile left wing, two goals conceded in the first 5 minutes of the second half

Right at the start of the second half, Nottingham Forest continuously penetrated deep into their right flank – the left wing of Man Utd’s defense, where Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot were defending. In the 48th minute, Hudson-Odoi broke through and crossed the ball for Morgan Gibbs-White to head past Lammens. Just two minutes later, from the same direction, Igor Jesus headed the ball for Nicolo Savona to swoop in and score from close range, putting Forest up 2-1.

Notably, in the second goal, despite having 7 players in front of Lammens, Man Utd still let Jesus comfortably make the header and Savona finished. This was not an individual mistake, but a result of an imbalance in zonal defense and the ability to control space when attacked on the wing.

Tactical angle: long pressing, space between lines and anti-high balls

The goals Man Utd conceded showed they had to press from too far away – Cunha getting forward to close in on a cross – which stretched the structure and separated the defensive layers. When opponents had time and space to cross from a good position, Man Utd lacked cover at the far post and made poor judgment on the second ball inside the box.

The issue of air balls and space management in the second line needs to be addressed urgently by Amorim. If Man Utd’s set pieces show progress in tactical preparation, the way they defend within the formation reveals systematic flaws.

Main events

• Minute 34: Bruno Fernandes took a corner kick, Casemiro headed to open the score.
• Minute 48: Hudson-Odoi crossed, Morgan Gibbs-White headed to equalize.
• Two minutes later: Igor Jesus headed the ball, Nicolo Savona scored the rebound to make it 2-1 for Forest.
• Minute 81: Amad Diallo volleyed from outside the box after the second ball, making it 2-2.

Outstanding numbers

• 2: number of goals Man Utd scored from set pieces.
• 5: The first minutes of the second half saw Man Utd concede 2 goals.
• 7: The number of Man Utd players standing in front of Lammens for the second goal but still could not stop Forest's combination.
• 1: Man Utd left the City Ground with a goal from Amad Diallo.

The painting of the transfer under Ruben Amorim

The 2-2 result reflected the transition at Old Trafford: better organisation, clearer tactics and efficiency from set pieces; but the balance in controlling space and reacting to attacks on the flanks was still shaky. Amorim can be proud of his well-organized set pieces, but urgently needed to close down the left flank – where two quick goals had erased the advantage the Red Devils had built up earlier.