Nottingham Forest 2-1 Manchester United: Forest completes year with a bang as they defeat Red Devils, ending year on a high
Nottingham Forest struck the final dent at Manchester United’s top four hopes after they defeated Erik Ten Hag’s side 2-1, thanks to a late second-half blast from both sides after a meagre first half. Nico Dominguez and Morgan Gibbs-White were on song for Forest, while Marcus Rashford broke his goalscoring drought but it was not enough for Ten Hag’s side to get past the sturdy test of Nuno Espirito Santo’s brigade.
Forest defeats Manchester United
Manchester United and Nottingham Forest clashed at City Ground with both sides hoping for all three points before the year ends. The Red Devils were coming on the back of an enthralling 3-2 victory against Aston Villa which included a 81st minute winner from Rasmus Hojlund, as the Dane broke his goalscoring duck. All high hopes were rested on Erik Ten Hag’s side after a brilliant comeback in their last game, but United decided to finish 2023 on a familiar inconsistent fashion, which sums up their entire year.
With a game where three points were at stake for both sides, Erik Ten Hag started some of his best players in the form of Rashford on the front, with Garnacho, Antony and Fernandes on his support. Eriksen and Mainoo marshalled the midfield, while the defense involved the seasoned duo of Evans and Varane with Dalot and Wan Bissaka on the wings. For Forest, Nuno Espirito Santo started hattrick hero from the last game Chris Wood on the front, with former Manchester United star Elanga on the attacking midfield, accompanied by Gibbs-White and Dominguez. Argentine World Cup winner Montiel started on the back as defensive duties were vested upon Murillo and Niakhate.
An attacking front without last match hero
Erik Ten Hag headed to City Ground without one of his trusted soldiers, the hero of the last game Rasmus Hojlund, as he was forced to take the sidelines due to an illness. United’s attack looked toothless for the entire first half, as Red Devils could hardly find any chance to get past the sturdy back four of the Forest. It took them after the interval to break the shackles, when a Diogo Dalot meaningful chance fashioned a way past Nottingham defense, as the Portuguese blasted a first-time shot, which was carefully thwarted away by Matt Turner’s stunning left-hand play as the score remained 0-0.
Argentine Nico Dominguez was the mastermind behind the first goal, when he rekindled his Argentine connection with Montiel, as the World Cup Final penalty hero produced a superb cut-back from the edge of the box. Dominguez was eagerly waiting to pounce on that ball when he swept home a lovely finish half-way through the second half, thus helping the hosts to an early lead.
Rashford pulls one back, but goes in vain
With the score in favor of the hosts till 78th minute, it was erroneous goalkeeping from Matt Turner as the American’s goalkeeping frailties was exposed, with Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford side-footing the equalizer with 12 minutes from full-time, restoring the parity, thus short-living Forest’s lead. But, it seemed that fate had something else in store for Forest players, with Gibbs-White the driving force behind leading his side to victory.
Gibbs-White was prepared for an upscale run from United’s front, as a counter-attack from the Tricky Trees’ saw the deal being sealed for them. The former Wolves star took the ball away from their defense, with former Manchester United star Elanga took matter in his own hands, thus going all guns blazing on the last few minutes of the game. Gibbs–White made things worse for Erik Ten Hag, as he blasted the winner on the 82nd minute, thus ending the year on a high note, with Nuno Espirito Santo weaving his magic wand once again.
