Nottingham Forest orchestrated a stunning upset, defeating Manchester United 3-2 at Old Trafford, inflicting a second consecutive loss on the Red Devils and their manager, Ruben Amorim. The victory catapulted Forest into the top five of the Premier League table, just two points shy of the top four, while United languished in 13th place. The match was a whirlwind of early goals and dramatic moments.
Forest wasted no time asserting themselves, taking the lead within the opening two minutes. Nikola Milenkovic, with his first goal for the club, capitalized on a corner—the third United conceded from in as many games—to power a header past goalkeeper Andre Onana. Despite conceding early, United responded with sustained pressure, culminating in an equalizer 17 minutes later. Alejandro Garnacho’s close-range effort was parried by the Forest keeper, but Rasmus Hojlund was on hand to poke home the rebound. The remainder of the first half saw both teams exchange near misses, with Jota Silva for Forest and Bruno Fernandes for United striking the woodwork.
The second half mirrored the first, with Forest scoring an early goal. Just two minutes after the restart, Morgan Gibbs-White unleashed a powerful strike from outside the box, wrong-footing Onana and restoring Forest’s lead. Seven minutes later, Chris Wood extended the advantage to 3-1, heading home a cross from the back post. This goal made Wood Forest’s all-time leading Premier League goalscorer, a significant achievement on a memorable night. Onana appeared confused during the sequence, further compounding United’s woes. While United managed to pull a goal back through a powerful Fernandes strike set up by Amad Diallo, Forest’s defense held firm, securing a famous victory.
The defeat marked a new low for Manchester United, recording their fewest points after 15 league games since the 1986/87 season, the season before the arrival of Sir Alex Ferguson. The loss against Forest followed a midweek defeat to Arsenal, raising serious concerns about the team’s form and direction under Amorim. The upcoming Manchester derby looms large, presenting another significant challenge for the struggling Red Devils.
While Gibbs-White’s goal and assist earned him plaudits, Chris Wood’s performance and landmark achievement deservedly earned him the Player of the Match award. Wood’s goal, his tenth of the season, not only secured the victory but also cemented his place in Forest’s history books. His presence in the box proved too much for United to handle, as he consistently caused problems for the defense. Wood’s prolific scoring record, with 10+ goals in six separate Premier League seasons and 78 goals in 241 games, underlines his consistency and effectiveness at the top level.
The match ratings reflected the disparity in performance between the two sides. While several United players received respectable scores, Onana’s performance was singled out for criticism, receiving a rating of just 3. Forest, on the other hand, saw several players earn high marks, with Gibbs-White and Wood leading the way with 8 apiece. The match statistics further highlighted Forest’s dominance, particularly in their ability to capitalize on set pieces.
The victory at Old Trafford, coupled with an earlier win at Anfield, marks a historic achievement for Nottingham Forest, achieving victories at both grounds in the same season for the first time. This remarkable feat underscores the progress made by the club and highlights the current struggles faced by two of English football’s traditional giants. The result leaves Manchester United contemplating the difficult road ahead, while Nottingham Forest celebrates a memorable victory that further solidifies their position in the Premier League.
