What Manchester United Lacks Under Ruben Amorim, Nottingham Forest Abundantly Possesses with Nuno Espirito Santo
As Manchester United’s backroom team convenes to dissect the unfortunate loss to Nottingham Forest, they will collaboratively compile an extensive list of areas needing improvement.
Their minds will inevitably turn to missed chances that will send shivers down their spines. The team’s failure to defend set-pieces—or, more broadly, their complete struggles in defense—will surely irritate even the calmest coaches. However, one critical aspect that this group of football enthusiasts may overlook is what Manchester United is distinctly lacking.
They seem to be missing a certain intangible quality that Nottingham Forest possesses in abundance—an element that is ever-present yet defies metrics, algorithms, or expected probabilities.
Nuno: ‘I know how Manchester United would react’
Spirit. Togetherness. Unity. Call it what you will: Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad exudes these qualities. Of course, they boast skilled players, dazzling attackers, and formidable defenders. Yet, every individual—from players to coaches to analysts and medical staff—functions as a cohesive unit.
This unity is evident in every move the Forest team makes. The signs are unmistakable. On Saturday, joyful supporters celebrated three times in a corner of a worn Old Trafford, experiencing the pure happiness that football can bring. Each time, Nuno was surrounded by an exuberant group of coaching staff in the technical area, sharing congratulations and continuing their work.
Following every loss of possession or foul, Forest players scramble to return to their positions, resembling children caught in the act of sneaking cookies, eager to appear innocent as a parent walks back into the room.
After acknowledging the fans post-match—Chris Wood, whose 25th Premier League goal for Forest surpassed Bryan Roy’s club record, stood modestly at the back of the group—they all returned to the dugout, exchanging pats on the back with support staff. The significance of any single individual never overshadows the collective effort. This camaraderie not only creates a positive atmosphere amidst the challenges but also contributes significantly to Forest’s remarkable victories this season, both at Anfield and now at Manchester United for the first time in three decades.
“I’m extremely proud to be part of this group of players and the squad,” an elated Nuno shared with reporters afterwards. “We are striving to achieve something together and build something wonderful.”
Even after establishing a two-goal lead shortly after halftime, Nuno “knew United would react, so it was all about unity and hard work. If you asked me what the key was, I’d say it was the togetherness and diligence of the players.”
Ruben Amorim, take note—United’s dynamic is drastically different. They seem to be a collection of individuals chasing their own agendas, solely focused on personal accolades. Complaints and gripes echoed through the squad, along with bickering and finger-pointing. Their inability to take individual responsibility is at a level typically associated with politicians. Are they pulling in one direction? Certainly not.
Thus, Amorim can adjust the starting lineup all he likes (and he should definitely reconsider his choices in defense). He can alter the formation, and strategize endlessly from dawn till dusk, only to repeat the cycle the next day. Yet, before any of that, he must address a more fundamental issue.
Maybe United should consider taking a page from the England cricket team’s playbook. Prior to the 2010/11 Ashes tour, Andy Flower took his players and staff into the Bavarian wilderness for a week-long team-building exercise. They returned fatigued, emotionally drained, and in Jimmy Anderson’s case, with broken bones. But they uncovered something vital within that chaos. Their shared vulnerability forged a stronger bond among them, and they never looked back.
“I experienced this and even worse during my early days at Sporting,” Amorim remarked at his press conference afterwards. His smile now appears more strained than it did two weeks prior. “In Manchester, you attract a lot of attention, but to me, it’s the same feeling. This situation is common across many clubs, and we must keep improving the team because this will turn around. We need time, and we need to maintain our consistent efforts every day.”
Amorim recognizes that something significant is required to steer United out of their current predicament. Finding that unity is his first priority.
