Nottingham Forest handed Manchester United their second consecutive defeat. The visitors struck early in both halves, with United managing to equalize once but failing to do so again. Nottingham Forest claimed a memorable victory on United’s home ground.
In front of nearly 74,000 spectators at Old Trafford on Saturday night, Nottingham Forest won the Premier League match 3-2.
This victory marked Forest’s first win at this historic stadium in nearly 30 years. Their last triumph here was on December 17, 1994, with a 2-1 win in a league match. After Nikola Milenković gave Forest the lead, Rasmus Højlund equalized. In the second half, goals from Morgan Gibbs-White and Chris Wood put Forest back in front, before Bruno Fernandes reduced the deficit.
Under new coach Ruben Amorim, United suffered back-to-back defeats. In the previous round, they had lost 2-0 to Arsenal.
This marked Nottingham Forest’s first consecutive league victories over United since April 1992. Last December, they also triumphed 2-1 at home.
United controlled 71% possession, taking 17 shots, with 7 on target. Forest, on the other hand, had 11 shots and managed to get 3 on target, all of which resulted in goals.
Forest stunned Old Trafford just 2 minutes into the game. From a corner, Serbian defender Milenković scored a brilliant header at the near post, leaving goalkeeper André Onana with no chance.
United quickly responded in the 18th minute. Manuel Ugarte’s through ball found Alejandro Garnacho, whose attempt was blocked by Onana, but the loose ball was finished off by Højlund. Despite dominating possession, United almost took the lead in the 41st minute, but Fernandes’ shot hit the crossbar.
Forest struck again early in the second half, with Gibbs-White scoring a powerful shot from outside the box in the 47th minute, which went past Onana.
In the 54th minute, Chris Wood made it 3-1 with a header from a Gibbs-White cross. The goal highlighted defensive lapses from United.
Wood’s goal was his 25th in the Premier League, the most for Forest in the competition.
United reduced the deficit in the 61st minute, with Fernandes scoring after avoiding two defenders and firing a powerful shot into the net.
Despite relentless efforts, United failed to score again in the remaining time.
With 25 points from 15 matches, Nottingham Forest moved up to 5th place. Manchester United, with 19 points, dropped to 13th after suffering their sixth defeat in 15 matches.
Liverpool sits at the top with 35 points from 14 matches. Chelsea is second with 28 points, while Arsenal is in third. Defending champions Manchester City are fourth with 27 points from 15 matches.
