Nottingham Forest 2-1 Man Utd - Hosts grab dramatic Premier League victory to pile pressure on Erik ten Hag
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Updated 30/12/2023 at 19:55 GMT
The pressure on underfire Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag continues to mount following the recent takeover of the club and his side's struggles in the Premier League and beyond this season. It was made even worse for Ten Hag on Saturday evening when United went down 2-1 to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground in yet another hugely disappointing result.
Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest celebrates with team mate Danilo after scoring their sides second goal during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester United at City Ground
Image credit: Getty Images
Nottingham Forest beat Manchester United for the first time in 29 years following a 2-1 victory over Erik ten Hag’s side at the City ground on Saturday.
After a goalless first half, Nicolas Dominguez combined with compatriot Gonzalo Montiel to open the scoring.
Matt Turner looked uncomfortable in the Forest goal and finally succumbed to Man Utd’s pressure when he misplaced a pass into the path of Alejandro Garnacho, who found Marcus Rashford to finish the move.
Minutes later, Turner made a big save to redeem himself, and 17 seconds later, Morgan Gibbs-White planted the ball into Andre Onana’s net with a fierce strike from the edge of the box.
Forest held out for a huge three points, which lifted them five points above the relegation zone as United missed the chance to move up to sixth.
The first half proved to be an uneventful 45 minutes with neither side getting a clear-cut chance or testing their opponent's goal, but the second half was certainly the opposite.
Dominguez sent the roof off the City Ground when he smartly converted Montiel’s fabulous cross after some neat footwork.
Saturday’s game could have easily turned into a nightmare for Tunrer, who highlighted his weaknesses throughout the second half, especially with the ball at his feet, and was finally caught out.
Rashford, a man out of form, calmly slotted the ball into the bottom right corner after Garnacho had capitalised on Turner’s dodgy pass from the back.
But Gibbs-White struck even sweeter to seal three points for Forest to hand Nuno Espírito Santo a vital win in the club’s bid for survival.
Talking point - Is Ten Hag’s job in danger?
It was all smiles after United came from two goals down to beat Aston Villa 3-2 on Boxing Day, but on Saturday they were back to their subpar selves, just as they have been all season.
Ten Hag has now guided United to nine defeats this term, the same number they suffered last year. They have won one game in their last six in all competitions and haven’t tasted victory on the road since their 3-0 win against Everton at the end of November, nine games ago.
As everyone knows, football is a results-based business and when the results aren’t right, something has to give. Will the club give the Dutchman more time, or jump ship in a bid to save their season?
Player of the Match - Anthony Elenga (Nottingham Forest)
It’s ironic that Elanga is a product of the Manchester United academy, yet shone brighter than any of their current stars.
Elanga put in a superb display from start to finish and grabbed the assist for Gibss-White’s winner, something United’s £85m winger Antony hasn’t managed to do all season.
The Swede created the most chances in the match on Saturday (3) and completed the most dribbles (2) as he dominated the flanks. He also won the most duals of anyone on the pitch (11) showing he really was all over the pitch, putting in the work both in attack and defence.
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NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 30: Anthony Elanga of Nottingham Forest celebrates after Nicolas Dominguez of Nottingham Forest (not pictured) scores their sides first goal during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester United at
Image credit: Eurosport
Match ratings
FOREST: Turner 6, Montiel 7, Niakhate 7, Murillo 6, Aina 7, Danilo 7, Yates 7, Gibbs-White 7, Dominguez 7, Elanga 8, Wood 6
Subs: Williams 6, Toffolo N/A, Boly N/A, Mangala N/A, Hudson-Odoi 5
MAN UTD: Onana 5, Wan-Bissaka 6, Varane 6, Evans 6, Dalot 6, Mainoo 6, Eriksen 6, Garnacho 6, Fernandes 6, Antony 6, Rashford 7
Subs: Reguilon N/A, Diallo 6, McTominay 6
Match highlights
11’ - THE BALL FLASHES ACROSS ONANA'S GOAL! Elanga delivers a cross and Raphael Varane sticks a leg out, taking the ball away from the goalkeeper and across the six-yard box. Luckily for United, there was no red shirts around to tap the ball in.
64’ - GOAL! NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1-0 MANCHESTER UNITED (DOMINGEUZ): Forest fly forward and get the ball to Gonzalo Montiel's feet. The Argentine controls it and swivels in one motion before slipping the ball to compatriot Dominguez who is free inside the box to stroke the ball beyond Onana. Forest lead! Can they hold on and finally beat United for the first time in 29 years?
78’ - GOAL! NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1-1 MANCHESTER UNITED (RASHFORD): Turner is put under pressure again and plays a pass straight to Garnacho, who finds Rashford as the out-of-form striker places the ball excellently into the far corner to finish smartly. A moment to forget for Turner, but that will do Rashford the world of good!
81’ - TURNER BEATS AWAY ERIKSEN'S EFFORT! This time the Forest goalkeeper does well to deny Eriksen from the edge of the box.
82’ - GOAL! NOTTINGHAM FOREST 2-1 MANCHESTER UNITED (GIBBS-WHITE): Elanga squares the ball to Gibbs-White on the edge of the box who smashes the ball past Onana for 2-1! Forest are quickly back in front and Turner will be relieved, especially after that save a few moments ago!
90’+11 - HUGE CHANCE UNITED! Eriksen skews a shot wide from close range, and that will do it!
Key stat
- Manchester United have lost as many as nine of their first 20 league games in a season for the first time since 1989-90; it's as many defeats as they suffered in the whole of 2022-23. (Opta)
- Manchester United have lost 21 games in all competitions in 2023 - only in 1930 (28), 1972 (25) and 1921 (24) have they ever lost more in a calendar year. (Opta)
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