Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag heaped praise on three players following the 2-1 Premier League defeat to Nottingham Forest on the road.
The Red Devils had a disappointing outing against Forest in their final game of 2023. They had a poor opening half where goalkeeper Matt Turner was merely a spectator.
After the interval, the club were much better with their movement in the final third. Forest took the lead in the 64th minute but United were able to respond with an equaliser.
A poor pass from Turner gifted the ball to Garnacho. The United graduate quickly passed the ball to Marcus Rashford, who found the back of the net with a precise finish.
Rashford’s goal was not enough for a point. Morgan Gibbs-White scored the winner for the hosts in the 82nd minute. Christian Eriksen missed a wonderful chance to equalise in the final seconds.
Speaking after the defeat, Ten Hag said that the performance was much better in the second half and felt Amad Diallo was ‘really good’ after coming off the bench to replace Antony.
The Dutch tactician added that Garnacho had a ‘very good game’ and it was a ‘good goal’ from Rashford, he told Manutd.com: “In the second half, they [the attackers] were in the match.”
“I thought Amad Diallo came in really good, Alejandro Garnacho played a very good game, I think. How he fought for that all the time and prepared the goal, a good goal by Marcus Rashford.”
The defeat means that United have suffered 14 losses this term. They are currently seventh in the league but could drop to ninth if Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion win their games.
After the progress made last season, it has been a frustrating second half to 2023 for the club. The faithful will be hoping for better things to come in 2024 with key players returning from injuries.
Mason Mount, Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire and Tyrell Malacia are all anticipated to return to action next month. Mount has already started training following his calf injury.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
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