Nottingham Forest Shocks Manchester United With Historic Victory

Nottingham Forest stunned Manchester United with a 3-2 victory at Old Trafford, marking the club’s first away win against the Red Devils since December 1994.

This result moved Forest into the top five of the Premier League table and also inflicted back-to-back defeats on Ruben Amorim’s side, leaving the hosts with much to ponder as they languish in the bottom half of the table.

A Fast Start for Forest

The match kicked off with an electric atmosphere, and it didn’t take long for Forest to make their mark. Just two minutes in, they capitalized on United’s ongoing struggles with set pieces.

Elliot Anderson’s corner was met by Nikola Milenković, who powered a header into the net, leaving United’s defense exposed and goalkeeper André Onana helpless. This goal marked Milenković’s first for the club and was a stark reminder of United’s defensive frailties, as they have now conceded a league-high seven goals from corners this season.

Forest’s ability to score first has been a recurring theme this season; this was the twelfth time they opened the scoring, displaying their attacking intent and resilience.

However, despite the early setback, United responded positively, dominating possession and quickly seeking an equalizer.

United’s Response

The Red Devils found their footing and leveled the match in the 18th minute through a well-executed team move. Manuel Ugarte threaded a pass to Alejandro Garnacho, whose shot was parried by Matz Sels into the path of Rasmus Højlund.

The young striker made no mistake, netting his third goal in as many appearances and bringing the score to 1-1.

However, United’s defensive woes continued to plague them. They struggled to contain Forest’s set-piece threat, with Jota Silva hitting the bar from a deep free-kick and Murillo missing a golden opportunity from a corner.

Meanwhile, Forest was not without their chances, as Bruno Fernandes came close to giving United the lead with a fierce free-kick that rattled the crossbar, ensuring the teams went into halftime level.

The Turning Point

The second half saw Forest seize control of the match, taking the lead again just minutes after the restart. Morgan Gibbs-White unleashed a low, swerving shot that left Onana scrambling, as the ball found the back of the net.

Just nine minutes later, Forest struck again, with Chris Wood’s looping header causing chaos in United’s defense. A mix-up between Onana, Lisandro Martínez, and Matthijs de Ligt allowed the ball to trickle into the far corner, marking Wood as Forest’s all-time leading scorer in the Premier League.

United’s Late Fight

Despite being two goals down, United refused to back down. Bruno Fernandes, demonstrating his leadership, pulled one back in the 60th minute with a powerful shot into the far corner, reigniting hope for the home side.

With half an hour still to play, United pushed for an equalizer, but a series of substitutions and stoppages disrupted their momentum.

Forest’s defense, resilient and organized, managed to absorb the pressure, limiting United’s chances and taking the sting out of their attacks. A late volley from Amad Diallo was bravely blocked by Morato, preserving Forest’s lead as they held on for a historic victory.

A Historic Win

This victory marks a significant achievement for Nottingham Forest and also shows the challenges facing Manchester United under Amorim. With this win, Forest secured their first league victories at both Anfield and Old Trafford in the same season, a feat that shows their potential in the top flight.

United’s seven-match unbeaten home run came to an abrupt end, leaving them with plenty of work to do as they navigate a challenging season ahead.