Manchester United put in another poor effort as they were defeated at the City Ground by a vastly superior Nottingham Forest team – here’s what went wrong for Erik ten Hag’s side.

After a boring first half, the home team picked up the pace after the interval and rightfully took the lead on 64 minutes through Nicholas Dominguez. United appeared to be lacking in creativity, but they were awarded an equalizer by Forest keeper Matt Turner, whose poor clearance fell straight to Alejandro Garnacho. The Argentine found Marcus Rashford, who scored past Turner.

However, the great Morgan Gibbs-White delivered a magnificent strike from the edge of the box on 82 minutes, shortly after Turner had made a critical stop, partially compensating for his error.

A sluggish start

After such an exciting comeback victory over Aston Villa, you’d think United would be primed for their trip to City Ground, only to revert to their more indifferent ways.

Yes, they were handicapped up front, but Ten Hag’s side was pitiful in the first half, as evidenced by one effort on goal. If the performance against Villa suggested that they were indeed playing for the boss, the first half demonstrated otherwise. But it doesn’t seem to matter who is in control with these bunch; it seems to rely on whether they can be bothered to try a leg on that particular day.

Rashford is ineffective

The absence of a striker who has only scored one league goal all season is indicative of United’s issues. Rasmus Hojlund’s illness was a setback for both player and team, but it should never have been as severe as it appeared.

It would not have been the case if United had Rashford from 2022/23 at their disposal. Ten Hag is stuck with the 23/24 version, who has struggled to break into a Championship side, let alone one aiming for the Champions League. For the majority of the game, he moved like a non-footballer on Christmas Eve.

Early in the second half, Ashford broke into an unexpected sprint. However, it came immediately after he’d squandered a good position on the edge of the Forest boss. Yes, Rashford scored the equalizer, although with Turner’s assistance, but it was his only positive contribution.

Ten Hag had little choice but to play Rashford in the center in Hojlund’s absence. However, based on this performance, another option must be discovered if Hojlund is sidelined again.

McTominay was too late

United’s work ethic has been a huge concern, so why was a real tryer – and a player with a goal threat – put on the bench until halftime?

The dye had been cast by the time he came on, and it wasn’t until Forest rightly took the lead that United decided to step up their game.

Antony is terrible

What exactly does the Brazilian bring to this team? The race to be United’s biggest transfer flop is strong, but Antony may be at the top – or should that be the bottom?

He provided no goal threat and was uninterested on the opposite end. He got hooked nine minutes into the second half and was lucky to survive. Another one who should be barred from the canteen is Jadon Sancho, who could certainly be a star if he overcame his pride and apologized to Ten Hag.