Man United Under-21s lost their 100% record in Premier League 2 in dramatic fashion, falling 3-2 to Nottingham Forest U21s. That perfect run, gone, just like that, and you gotta wonder what went wrong after a game like this. This wasn’t just a minor slip; it was a stumble that saw them concede some critical goals, including two from the spot, and it’s a tough pill to swallow when you’ve been flawless all season.
Lusale Showed Out, But The Defense Stumbled Hard
On attack, Samuel Lusale was the absolute key man for United, topping the player ratings with an 8. If anything good was gonna happen up front, it looked like Lusale was the guy making it happen. His direct running caused Forest all sorts of problems, earning a bunch of dangerous free kicks, and eventually, a penalty late in the first half. He then scored a goal of his own early in the second after a fantastic run past two defenders. This dude was on fire, but it wasn’t enough to carry the team. Goalie Cameron Byrne-Hughes also put in a shift, rated 7.5, making three quality saves in the first half and honestly, he couldn’t have done much more with the goals that went in.
But then there’s the other side of the ball. Reece Munro, with a 5 rating, looked clumsy and made some questionable positioning decisions, especially in the build-up to Forest’s first penalty. He also could’ve done a better job clearing the ball to prevent that opening goal. Dan Armer started strong, even scoring a penalty himself and making good interceptions, but his lack of athleticism got exposed on Forest’s third goal. It was a reachable ball, and he just couldn’t get there.
The Midfield Metronome Had A Mixed Night
Jim Thwaites, rated 7.5, really controlled the midfield from deep for stretches, delivering consistent line-splitting passes into the final third that unfortunately weren’t always capitalized on. He was getting the ball where it needed to go, and even threatened with a couple of free kicks that sailed narrowly wide. He also put in the defensive work, making some good tackles. The problem? He got a bit overeager and went through the back of a player, conceding a penalty for Forest’s second goal. You can’t have your midfield general making a mistake like that when you’re trying to keep a perfect record intact. Amir Ibragimov, back in a deeper midfield role, never really got going with a 6 rating, looking tired in the second half and making some wayward passes, despite being involved in the build-up to United’s second goal. Bendito Mantato also had a tough night, sometimes overrunning the ball and losing possession against a deep Forest block, earning a 6.
Jaume Camacho had a neat and tidy debut, picking up good positions and moving the ball quickly, even getting an assist. A 6.5 for his first U21 game, you know he’ll want to get more involved as he gets more experience. Yuel Helafu had an average game with a 6; not troubled much defensively, no mistakes, but also didn’t dominate.
This isn’t the perfect season start they wanted anymore, but it’s a clear signal. What’s next for these U21s as they try to pick up the pieces and get back to winning ways after losing that flawless record?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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