NafisaNottingham Forest Edge Manchester United in Thrilling 3-2 Victory at Old Trafford
Nottingham Forest secured a stunning 3-2 win over Manchester United on Saturday evening, capping off a memorable night in the Premier League. It was a thrilling contest that saw the visitors claim a crucial three points after a resilient performance against Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.
After suffering a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City midweek, Forest arrived at Old Trafford determined to make amends. They got off to a dream start, with Nikola Milenkovic powering in a bullet header just two minutes into the match to give the Reds an early lead.
However, their advantage was short-lived. United piled on the pressure, and the equaliser felt inevitable. In the 18th minute, Alejandro Garnacho’s effort was parried by Matz Sels, only for Rasmus Højlund to pounce on the rebound and level the score.
Both sides came close to taking the lead before the break, with Jota Silva rattling the bar for Forest and Bruno Fernandes doing the same for the hosts with a curling free-kick.
The interval seemed to reinvigorate Forest, who emerged with renewed purpose. Just moments into the second half, Morgan Gibbs-White restored their lead with a composed finish. Chris Wood then extended their advantage to 3-1, capitalising on some lax United defending.
The hosts refused to go down without a fight, with Fernandes narrowing the deficit on the hour mark. United threw everything forward in the closing stages, but Forest’s back line held firm to secure a famous victory.
Player Ratings
Matz Sels (8/10): Made crucial saves to keep Forest in the game during key moments. Could do little about United’s goals but exuded calmness under late pressure.
Ola Aina (8.5/10): Faced relentless attacks but handled himself brilliantly. Combined solid defending with some marauding forward runs.
Nikola Milenkovic (8/10): Scored his first goal for the club with a thunderous header. Struggled at times under United’s intense pressure but contributed significantly.
Murillo (8.5/10): Displayed excellent distribution, including a pinpoint free-kick that almost resulted in a goal. Nearly found the net himself before halftime.
Neco Williams (8/10): Justified his return to the starting lineup with a solid performance. Held his own in a challenging game and helped Forest withstand United’s late surge.
Ryan Yates (7.5/10): Struggled to control the midfield in the first half as United dominated, but his leadership and determination were evident in the second period.
Elliot Anderson (8/10): Delivered the corner for Milenkovic’s opener and worked tirelessly in midfield to disrupt United’s rhythm.
Forest’s spirited display ensured they left Old Trafford with all three points, a result that keeps their strong campaign on track.
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