United is the club that continues to provide a punchline for fans who rejoice in its defeats. They are now so common that schadenfreude among rival supporters may be more of an afterthought than an ardent desire.

Sir Alex Ferguson, the last United manager to leave the Trent without a point in 1992, sat in the directors’ box next to Sir Dave Brailsford, who was wearing a Paul Smith club tie. Back in 1990, this was the ground that saved Ferguson in the FA Cup. Erik ten Hag is on the verge of damnation.

United finished December with two victories in eight games, five losses, and total elimination from European tournaments. United have lost 14 games this season, two fewer than they did during David Moyes’ tenure.

Ten Hag’s in-game management, which has abandoned him for practically the entire campaign, is just as concerning as United’s amount of defeats. He made a huge mistake by replacing Kobbie Mainoo with Scott McTominay at halftime, and both of Forest’s goals came in the gap that was United’s invisible midfield.

If United does not concede shortly after scoring or in fast succession, they are allowing free shots from cut-backs. It happened again, with accurate hits from Nicolas Dominguez and Morgan Gibbs-White as Andre Onana was denied a shield.

As Gibbs-White charged towards the corner flag, Alejandro Garnacho sank to his knees as Bruno Fernandes berated anybody and everyone. Ten Hag’s most recent attacking alteration was the substitution of fellow full-back Sergio Reguilon for Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

At 1-0, United had gone 340 minutes without an away goal, and there was Donny van de Beek, who had played 19 minutes this season and was on his way next month, warming up.

It’s unclear why Van de Beek is still active on matchdays when he’s on his way to Eintracht Frankfurt. With Rasmus Hojlund absent due to illness, United’s matchday squad was absolutely devoid of an out-and-out striker, and the rookie Joe Hugill, who was on the bench at Goodison Park last month, warranted inclusion.

From one Ajax misfit to the next. There was no prospect of a repetition at the stadium where Antony last scored and was compared to Arjen Robben by Ten Hag. Ajax defrauded Manchester United.

Since his tap-in at the City Ground in April, the €100 million winger has gone 29 games without scoring. The only alteration from the Boxing Day comeback against Aston Villa was Antony’s recall at the expense of Hojlund, and United’s offensive deteriorated dramatically.

Antony’s exit was actually forced as he gripped his hamstring on the bench. It was tough to determine. Antony is yet another costly write-off.