Rasmus Hojlund has explained that the Manchester United side are still adapting to Ruben Amorim's new tactics as they put in another disappointing performance following a defeat at home to Nottingham Forest.
The Portuguese boss replaced the beleaguered Erik ten Hag in October after a defeat against West Ham proved one too many, leaving the Red Devils languishing in 14th place.
After a three-match notice with his previous side Sporting Lisbon, Amorim arrived in Manchester last month and quickly set to work implementing his favored 3-4-3 system.
United were fortunate to hold on to a 1-1 draw at Ipswich in the new manager's opening game, before victories over Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League and Everton in the Premier League gave fans reason for optimism.
But a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal in midweek was followed by a miserable performance against Forest on Saturday, resulting in a 3-2 defeat, leaving United in 13th place.
Hojlund scored the Red Devils' opening match at Old Trafford but admits the players are still struggling to get used to Amorim's ideas.
He told Sky Sports: 'Nasty goals of course, we have to do better, especially on corners. We have now conceded too much, but I am sure we will improve.
'I think it's more about us being in a new position, with new ideas, a new coach, but we have to understand his ideas.
'It's a lot to take in but we have to deal with it, we are Manchester United and we have to do better. There are still a lot of games to go, but it is not an ideal situation, but we have to try to stay positive.”
Nottingham Forest earned a deserved 3-2 win, making it their first win here since December 1994.
United fell behind within two minutes after a corner, before Rasmus Hojlund pulled them back to level terms.
But the match spiraled out of control in the early stages of the second half and in the blink of an eye as rain fell, United found themselves 3-1 down after a big mistake from Andre Onana gave Morgan Gibbs-White a goal ahead of Chris Wood. added a third.
Captain Bruno Fernandes produced a superb finish, curling a shot home after Amad Diallo found him with a perfect pull-back, but it was not enough to turn the tide.
It means United remain stuck in thirteenth place in the Premier League, while Amorim has managed just one win in his first four games in the English top flight.
'We already knew [it would be tough]United's head coach admitted. “It will be a long journey but we want to win because this is a huge club.
'You feel it, if you lose one match, it is very difficult for everyone. I can understand that. I feel it in the stadium after the first goal.
“We understand the context, but we have to stay the same way and do the same things.
“The same words I have here at Everton, I have today. Focus on performance. We need to improve in many aspects of the game and keep doing the same things in training tomorrow.”
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