Nuno Espirito Santo’s tenure as Nottingham Forest boss is flying, as the Tricky Trees beat Manchester United 2-1 at the City Ground on Saturday as the once-fierce rivals tangled again.
It was Forest’s first win over Man United since December 1994.
Nicolas Dominguez and Morgan Gibbs-White scored second-half goals as the match flashed to life over the final 20 minutes, and Forest added to their midweek win at Newcastle by taking down Manchester United.
WATCH NOTTINGHAM FOREST v MANCHESTER UNITED LIVE
It’s another setback for Erik ten Hag’s United, who had hoped their turned the corner with a midweek 3-2 win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
Forest pull into 15th place with 20 points, five clear of the bottom three, while Man United’s 31 points settle them into seventh.
Forest’s thick resolve makes history over uninspired Man Utd
Nottingham Forest showed up for a fight and turned out to be better at throwing both jabs and haymakers than their visitors.
Manchester United’s effort was there, sure, but there was little cutting edge from Erik ten Hag’s injured unit apart from the Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho connection for the goal.
Christian Eriksen and Diogo Dalot had their moments to be sure, but there was to a man just as more resolve and invention from Forest.
Anthony Elanga was terrific against his former side, with an assist amongst his three created chances, while Moussa Niakhate and Ryan Yates ensure their were stalwarts at every level.
USMNT keeper Matt Turner won’t like the way United’s goal went in, but he made a tremendous save late and Nuno Espirito Santo got a very Nuno Espirito Santo win from the City Ground. It’s the sort of win few bottom-third teams will get this season — the type that help a team stay in the top division.
What’s next?
Both teams have FA Cup action next, with Manchester United at Wigan on January 8, a day after Forest host Blackpool.
Man United host Tottenham at 11:30am ET January 14, while Forest’s next Premier League game is at 12:30pm ET January 20 at Brentford.
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United final score: 2-1
Goal: Dominguez (64'), Rashford (78'), Gibbs-White (82')
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United player ratings
(from fotmob.com)
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United (via fotmob.com)
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United (via fotmob.com)
Morgan Gibbs-White goal (video)
What a hit.
Marcus Rashford goal (video)
Uh oh, Matt Turner.
The USMNT hits a central pass and there’s not a lot of juice on it. The receiver isn’t lively, either.
The ball is slid free and Alejandro Garnacho finds Marcus Rashford on the other side of the 18 for a cool side-footed finish across goal.
Nicolas Dominguez goal
It’s a CONMEBOL goal — CONME-GOL? — as Argentina star Gonzalo Montiel cues up Nicolas Dominguez and the Uruguayan puts Forest in front.
How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 12:30pm ET, Saturday (December 30)
TV Channel: NBC
Online: Stream via NBC.com and Peacock Premium
Nottingham Forest lineup
Your Reds to take on @ManUtd 👊
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) December 30, 2023
Manchester United lineup
The boss makes one change for our final test of 2023 👊
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 30, 2023
🔄 @Antony00 replaces Rasmus Hojlund, who misses out through illness.#MUFC || #NFOMUN
Focus on Nottingham Forest, team news
Nuno appears to have found the right system and personnel for Forest to flourish in attack with Elanga, Gibbs-White and Wood rampant on the counter against Newcastle. Forest have the players to keep themselves in the Premier League but it’s all about cutting out silly defensive mistakes and playing to their strengths on the counter.
OUT: Taiwo Awoniyi (groin), Ibrahim Sangare (suspension), Felipe (undisclosed), Serge Aurier (calf)
Focus on Manchester United, team news
United are at their best when they’re desperate and take risks and we saw that in the second half against Villa last time out. That enthralling win provided hope that United can still finish in the top four despite all of their struggles this season. Erik ten Hag still has plenty of injury issues to deal with but they’re starting to subside a little. It will be intriguing to see if Hojlund’s first Premier League will now open the floodgates for him.
OUT: Casemiro (ankle), Lisandro Martinez (foot), Tyrell Malacia (undisclosed), Jadon Sancho (disciplinary - club), Harry Maguire (groin) | QUESTIONABLE: Luke Shaw (muscle tightness), Sofyan Amrabat (muscle), Victor Lindelof (undisclosed), Mason Mount (calf), Amad Diallo (knee), Anthony Martial (illness)
