Amorim Sticks to His Playbook as United Face Forest Test
30 October 2025
Ahead of the Nottingham Forest clash
Robin Amorim, Manchester United's manager, spoke about the team's readiness to face Nottingham Forest on Saturday at City Ground, as part of the tenth round of the Premier League.
United go into the match in high spirits after recent wins that lifted them to sixth in the table with 16 points, from five wins, one draw, and three losses, with 15 goals scored and 14 conceded. Fans are hopeful after a string of positive results and a plan that can adapt on the road, where unfamiliar surroundings sometimes test a team.
Forest, struggling for form, have brought in new boss Sean Dyche and sit 18th with five points: one win, two draws, six losses; they have 5 goals for and 17 against. Forest's new boss has promised a sharper, more aggressive approach after taking over mid-season.
Key talking points and squad updates
Amorim responded to Dyche's comments last season, saying United could have won more games if they'd played 4-4-2, but he insisted his system will take time and be better in the long run. Some pundits believe the 4-4-2 could be workable with the right pieces, but Amorim insists the process is longer and more nuanced.
He added: 'I can look at Sean Dyche as a coach and expert; if I'm honest, I won't watch you talking tough; it's a different job, and he knows how to play the game; there's a difference between watching a match and coaching one.'
Looking at how to handle injuries to Mbimo and Amad during AFCON, Amorim said the squad is prepared to cope and that others will step up when called. He recognized the difficulty of replacing key players but emphasized bench strength and teamwork.
He noted it's hard to drop players who perform well in training, and stressed that the right opportunities will come for those ready to seize them. Reflecting on his first year at United, he spoke of tough moments, valuable lessons, and a sense of pride at being at the club and hoping to stay for many years.
On injuries, he said Harry Maguire's fitness is uncertain while the rest of the squad are available, and Lisandro Martinez would like to participate but it will take time. He also mentioned that training sessions have been adjusted to accommodate his return, and that this gradual approach gives the team a needed edge.
United now have just one match after Nottingham Forest before the international break, traveling to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Saturday, November 8. That match looms as a critical test before the break.
Forest, meanwhile, head to Sturm Graz in the Europa League on Thursday before welcoming Leeds United on Sunday, November 9. Forest aim to bounce back in Europe first, then keep momentum back home.
As the week closes, Amorim’s plan remains intact: trust the process, rotate with purpose, and keep faith that long-term growth beats short-term fixes—assuming, of course, the coffee in the dressing room stays hot and the players keep remembering to smile at the cameras.
Punchline time: If patience is your tactical weapon, Amorim's playbook must be a novel—thick, gripping, and somehow still readable on a plane. Punchline 2: In football as in dating apps, defense first, and if the match goes sideways, blame the Wi-Fi—works every time with the VAR signal in the distance.
