Ruben Amorim was visibly frustrated, publicly calling out a Manchester United star for failing to convert even once, despite facing an unguarded goal on multiple occasions.
Manchester United endured a frustrating afternoon as they dominated Nottingham Forest with over 22 attempts on goal but failed to convert, with Joshua Zirkzee under fire for missing six clear-cut chances. The match, which kicked off at 12:00 PM PDT (8:00 PM BST), saw United struggle in front of goal despite creating numerous opportunities. Manager Ruben Amorim’s patience wore thin in the second half, as cameras captured him berating Zirkzee for his wastefulness, particularly after missing chances in front of an open net.
The game started on a sour note for United, with former academy player Anthony Elanga punishing them early by scoring a brilliant solo goal within the first five minutes. That early setback stunned United’s traveling supporters, and despite efforts to respond—such as Diogo Dalot rattling the crossbar with a header and Bruno Fernandes dictating play in midfield—their inability to finish remained the dominant theme.
Zirkzee, leading Amorim’s attack, squandered a series of opportunities, including a close-range effort fired directly at Forest’s goalkeeper Matz Sels and a six-yard header that drifted off target. The reaction on social media was immediate, with one viral post reading, “22 shots, six sitters, and Zirkzee still can’t score—Amorim has every right to be furious.”
United’s struggles in front of goal highlight a bigger issue, as they sit 13th in the Premier League with 37 points, desperately seeking a turnaround. Amorim, who had previously expressed confidence in Zirkzee’s potential, visibly lost his cool on the touchline, gesturing animatedly and reportedly yelling at the striker after yet another miss.
Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest’s well-organized defense, ranked among the league’s best, withstood United’s onslaught while launching dangerous counterattacks through Elanga and Morgan Gibbs-White. As the clock neared 2:00 PM PDT, United found themselves on the verge of a second loss to Forest this season, a result that would mark Forest’s first league double over them since 1992.
For Zirkzee, the match was nothing short of a nightmare, intensifying calls for Rasmus Højlund to take his place. With just three goals in 29 appearances, the Dutch forward has struggled to meet expectations, and his performance against Forest may further test Amorim’s patience. As the final whistle approached, United’s 22 attempts seemed destined to count for nothing, leaving Amorim and his misfiring striker facing the wrath of a frustrated fanbase.
