After winning three games in a row, Manchester United’s run came to an end against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday with the Red Devils held by Sean Dyche’s side, made to settle for a 2-2 draw on the road.
Despite taking a first-half lead through Casemiro, Ruben Amorim’s side were behind five minutes into the second 45, after goals from Morgan Gibbs-White and Nicolo Savona. However, a sensational 81st-minute strike from Amad on the volley was enough for United to secure a point in the East Midlands.
Despite having the majority of possession, United struggled to break down the low block deployed by Dyche. The Red Devils managed 18 shots at the Forest goal, but, concerningly, ten of those were from outside of the penalty area.
Another concern for United is the fact that they didn’t create one big chance in the game. Forest did, and scored from it, but it did feel like Amorim’s side struggled to create chances against the deep block of Forest.
Someone who was directly affected by that was Benjamin Sesko, who struggled against the men in Garibaldi Red.
Why Benjamin Sesko struggled against Forest
It is certainly not ideal for your number nine to be so isolated when you are trying to break down a side that played as Forest did. After a run of good form, Sesko could barely get into the game at the City Ground.
Incredibly, the Slovenian striker has just 21 touches of the ball, fewer than any other starter for either side. He was incredibly isolated, which must have frustrated Amorim. Their summer signing has shown great instinct in the penalty box and excellent link-up play, so he needs to be in the game more.
Yet, Sesko did try and have an impact in front of goal. The 22-year-old had three shots, and whilst two of them were from inside the area, none of them found the target and tested Matz Sels.
After what was a largely anonymous performance from United’s number 30, he was given a 5/10 for his performance by Steven Railston of the Manchester Evening News.
He did praise the striker for the fact that he “provided a focal point” for United, although they didn’t use him much.
As tough a night as it was for Sesko, there was a United player who was certainly worse.
Worse than Sesko: Man United's biggest underperformer vs Forest
United’s struggles with breaking down the Forest low block were perhaps emphasised in Sesko’s performance, with the Slovenian barely involved. However, he was not the only person who struggled at the City Ground.
The Red Devils certainly lacked going forward, and one of those players was Diogo Dalot. The Portuguese full-back once again operated at left wing-back, but didn’t offer much going forward, and struggled defensively, notably making fewer passes than Senne Lammens.
Of course, with a 6-foot-5 striker in the box like Sesko, it is ideal for the United wingbacks to find him with crosses into the box.
Dalot, however, failed to complete a cross from two chances, and defensively, he only won three out of eight duels.
Touches
43
Passes completed
21/24
Possession lost
12
Ground duels won
2/5
Aerial duels won
1/3
Crosses completed
0/2
Key passes
0
Railston was certainly critical of the former FC Porto defender. He gave Dalot a 3/10 for his performance and said the Portugal international was “exposed at various stages of the contest” against Forest.
Well, he was certainly not the only person to feel frustrated with Dalot’s performance. United content creator Dev Bajwa said their number two has “got to be dropped” by Amorim ahead of their next game, a trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to face Thomas Frank’s Spurs.
At the end of the game, Amorim pointed out that Dalot can struggle to find crosses because “he’s a right-footer.” Well, factoring that in on top of this tough performance against Forest, it makes sense that the Portugal star might be dropped.
Amorim has options, too. Patrick Dorgu could operate as a left wing-back, a role for which he was signed by Amorim. Alternatively, Luke Shaw could play higher up with Ayden Heaven or Harry Maguire coming into the side, although this seems less likely.
All things considered, it is clear to see why Dalot might be rotated out of the side to face Spurs next week. Having a left footer in the side would surely be a benefit for the Red Devils, as they look to get back on track with a win.
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