Manchester United player ratings vs Nottingham Forest with one 4/10 as several struggle

Manchester United lost to Nottingham Forest in their first Premier League fixture of the month at the City Ground.

Anthony Elanga scored against his former club in the fifth minute, having collected the ball midway inside his own half after a United corner was cleared.

United head coach Ruben Amorim substituted Manuel Ugarte for Rasmus Hojlund at half-time before Christian Eriksen and Mason Mount emerged, but United failed to force a breakthrough against the team with the most clean sheets in the Premier League.

The result means Forest have done a domestic double against United for the first time since 1991-92.

Here are how the United players rated:

Andre Onana

Well beaten by Anthony Elanga. Urged United to quicken the play and he was quicker to release the ball. Made a good save from an offside attempt. 6

Leny Yoro

Confident on the ball and United's best player on the night. Terrific sliding tackle late on to deny Elanga. 7

Matthijs de Ligt

Out of play for Anthony Elanga's breakaway goal and had little hassle from Taiwo Awoniyi as Forest maximised Elanga's running. 6

Noussair Mazraoui

Did not know whether to come or go as Elanga spearheaded a one-man counter attack and did neither. One of his weakest performances. 5

Diogo Dalot

Had plenty of the ball and hit the crossbar with a looping header in the first half. Not consistent enough in the final third. 6

Manuel Ugarte

Offered some presence but made way at half-time as Ruben Amorim belatedly acknowledged the error of starting Joshua Zirkzee up front. 5

Casemiro

Got back into his own area and mucked in to halt Elanga's second charge towards goal. Lost his rag in the second half, got booked and then got hooked. 5

Patrick Dorgu

Failed to keep up with Elanga when he was sprinting with the ball and hardly offered any end product in attack on a poor night. 5

Bruno Fernandes

Had a shot saved unconvincingly by Matz Sels and also a header on target. Lost his rag too easily in the first half. Dropped back into midfield in the second. 6

Alejandro Garnacho

United were a one-man band in attack in the first half and Garnacho was meek. Then he was naive, petulant and booked for kicking the ball away. 4

Joshua Zirkzee

Illogically started as the striker and dropped back for the second half. Taken off in the 78th minute with United still chasing a goal. 5

Subs

Rasmus Hojlund

Made the runs a striker should make and won a corner in the first two minutes. 6

Christian Eriksen

A spontaneous substitution after Casemiro was booked. Eriksen also got booked. 5

Mason Mount

Saw a shot sail narrowly wide. 6

Harry Maguire

Had a great chance late on but headed wide. 6

Manager

Made an obvious cock-up by starting Zirkzee as the No.9 and moving Fernandes further back. Addressed it at half-time but Forest had United's number by then. 5