Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim believes his side deserved more from their 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest but admitted their own inefficiency in attack cost them the game.
The Red Devils suffered their 13th defeat of the season courtesy of former player Anthony Elanga’s solo effort but were unfortunate not to take something the game after going close with a number of chances.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Amorim reflected on a frustrating evening for United, who dominated possession and created chances but failed to find a breakthrough.
The Portuguese manager said: “We controlled the game, but we already knew this team can score goals out of nothing. When they scored, we changed the game a little bit from what they want.
“We tried with good opportunities, but in the last third, the last pass, the last assist wasn’t there. Then if we don’t have that, we cannot score goals.”
Amorim: ‘We need to be better in final third’
It was a familiar story for United this season, according to Amorim, with his side struggling to turn dominance into goals.
“This season is like that,” he said. “We had a lot of shots on goal, we pushed the opponent to the last third, but in the last third, we had a lack of quality.
“We need to win games, and we deserved more in this game, that is clear, but it is our fault and we need to be better in the last third. We should have won this game, not even drawn, but in the end, we have lost three points.”
More counter attack woes
United’s vulnerability to counter-attacks was once again exposed as Forest made the most of their limited opportunities.
Amorim added: “We know the characters of the team, and one goal can put them in one situation they love. We have to score two goals to win a match, and that is frustrating as it was the beginning of the game. We helped them to win three points.”
Despite the disappointment, Amorim insists he sees progress and remains focused on the upcoming challenges in both the Premier League and Europa League.
“I see it in the game. I don’t lie to myself; everyone can say whatever they want to say, but we need to win games. We go to the next game. We have Europa League, and we have the next game in the Premier League, and that is the focus.”
