Forson scouting report as wonderkid hooked early on Man Utd debut in Fulham loss
The Omari Forson experiment lasted 53 minutes at Old Trafford on Sunday, with Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag's roll of the dice failing to pay dividends.
With Rasmus Hojlund and Anthony Martial both injured, Ten Hag gave teenager Forson the nod at home to Fulham. The youngster started in a fluid front three with Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho, with Ten Hag leaving Antony on the bench.
United had been unbeaten in 2024 going into the game, but injuries have begun to take their toll. Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw are among the other more recent absentees, while Mason Mount and Tyrell Malacia have been out for longer.
It's safe to say Ten Hag's best-laid plans went awry, though. Calvin Bassey put Fulham in front just after the hour mark and, despite Harry Maguire looking to have rescued a point late on, Alex Iwobi struck deep into stoppage-time to give Fulham all three points.
Before the game, Ten Hag gave a straightforward answer when asked why Forson had been given his chance. "Because he deserves the position," the former Ajax boss said. "Lately, he's performing very well, over the last half year he's worked very hard, showed his progression.
Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash
"And when he came on against Wolves and Newport he had some impact, for instance with the goal for Kobbie Mainoo, he had the link up and good run behind. That's what we expect from him. He showed reliability and now he gets his chance, so he has to take his chance.
"They [the attackers] have to stay and occupy certain spaces but they can swap positions. It's about how they're standing in their defensive transition, so it can't be a mess, it's very clear who has to play where.
What did you make of Omari Forson's full Manchester United debut? Have your say in the comments section
Omari Forson managed 53 minutes on his full Premier League debut (Getty Images)Forson started out on the right, and the early goings suggested he'd be needed defensively as well as going forward. He tracked back well to offer support to Diogo Dalot in the first few minutes, ensuring United had an extra body to keep tabs on their former player Andreas Pereira.
When he got time on the ball six minutes in there were some tidy touches, without any sign of panic against more experienced opponents. There were some attempts to perhaps do too much later in the first half, though, with a loose pass aimed at Bruno Fernandes ending up allowing the visitors to break.
The link-up play with Dalot was promising, though, with the right-back going closer than any other United player before the break when he fired against the post from distance. Forson's first sight of goal did eventually arrive a couple of minutes before the break, but his efforts to fire through a crowd were thwarted when his shot cannoned back off team-mate Victor Lindelof.
Forson's one shot didn't trouble Fulham keeper Bernd Leno (Getty Images)While United's wonderkid will have wanted to make an impact in the second period, fate conspired to deny him that chance. There had been very little play by the time team-mate Casemiro was involved in a clash of heads with Harrison Reed, and when the Brazil midfielder made way, Forson did too.
In fairness, few members of United's team covered themselves in glory. It was Fulham who had the best chances, themselves hitting the woodwork long before the opener, and United's equaliser was a scrappy one which resulted from Maguire creeping back onside before firing into Bernd Leno's net.
"We got hit by the injury to Rasmus, who has been big focal point for us but it is up to us to find the solutions and the areas we need to improve on," Maguire said after the game.
"He has been our focal point, we can play into him, he holds it up, he starts the press really well, not only that but Marcus has been playing really well on the left. It's the story of our season, we've been injury-hit - as other teams have - and we need to find a solution quick."
Man Utd deadline day live updates as Sabitzer completes loan move
Whether that solution involves Forson again when United play Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup remains to be seen. Amad and Antony both made late cameos, neither really having enough time to state their case, but now it's down to the manager to decide how to set up against opponents who shipped four as Aston Villa while United were losing at home.
and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
