A clinical early strike from former Manchester United winger Anthony Elanga proved decisive as Nottingham Forest secured a 1-0 victory over Ruben Amorim’s side at the City Ground on Tuesday night. Despite dominating possession and creating a host of opportunities, United were ultimately undone by a moment of defensive lapse and profligacy in front of goal.
The win has kept the Reds in the chase for a top-three finish, having recorded 57 points, four points below Arsenal, who defeated Fulham at the Emirates.
United’s intent was clear from the outset, with Bruno Fernandes forcing Matz Sels into an early save with a powerful long-range effort. However, their early dominance was swiftly punished. In the fifth minute, Elanga capitalised on a defensive error, racing clear from inside his half past Patrick Dorgu and Alejandro Garnacho to slot the ball to the left corner of the post past Andre Onana.
United responded with urgency, Casemiro heading wide from a corner, and Matthijs de Ligt forcing Sels into another save. Alejandro Garnacho was a constant threat, but his efforts, along with those of Fernandes, were repeatedly thwarted by the Forest defence and Sels’s resilience.
Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo’s tactical shift to a back five before half-time underlined his side’s defensive priority. Despite United’s pressure, a late header from Murillo was comfortably dealt with by Onana, and Casemiro squandered a golden opportunity on the stroke of half-time, firing wide from the edge of the box.
Amorim’s side emerged after the break with renewed vigour. Casemiro again tested Sels with a header, and the introduction of Rasmus Hojlund for Manuel Ugarte saw Fernandes move into a central midfield role. Onana was called into action to deny Ryan Yates, while Casemiro’s frustration boiled over, earning him a yellow card.
Garnacho continued to be a livewire, but his finishing proved erratic. The introduction of Christian Eriksen and Mason Mount, returning from injury, added creativity, with Mount going close to an equaliser. In a bold move, Amorim introduced Harry Maguire as an auxiliary striker late on, but even his aerial presence couldn’t unlock the Forest defence. A late goal-line clearance denied Maguire, summing up United’s frustrating night.
Despite a performance that offered glimpses of promise, United were ultimately left to rue their missed chances. Forest, meanwhile, celebrated a hard-fought victory, built on defensive resilience and Elanga’s decisive early strike. Amorim will now need to address his side’s finishing as they look to salvage their season.
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