Nottingham Forest Stun Manchester United in Thrilling 3-2 Victory at Old Trafford

Forest capitalizes on defensive frailties to hand Amorim’s side back-to-back defeats.

Nottingham Forest delivered a statement performance on Saturday, defeating Manchester United 3-2 at Old Trafford. Goals from Nikola Milenkovic, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Chris Wood secured the win, despite a spirited response from the Red Devils through Rasmus Højlund and Bruno Fernandes.

A Blistering Start

The visitors wasted no time asserting themselves. Within two minutes, Milenkovic rose highest to nod home from a corner, exposing United’s ongoing struggles with set-piece defending. It marked the third goal they’ve conceded from corners in as many games.

United responded positively, with relentless pressure paying off in the 17th minute. Rasmus Højlund reacted quickest to a rebounded effort from Alejandro Garnacho, poking the ball home to level the score.

Both sides came close to taking the lead before halftime. Jota Silva’s strike rattled the woodwork for Forest, while Bruno Fernandes did the same for United. The teams went into the break deadlocked at 1-1.

Second-Half Drama

Forest replicated their early first-half dominance after the restart. Gibbs-White unleashed a venomous strike from outside the box just two minutes into the second half, wrong-footing goalkeeper André Onana to restore Forest’s lead.

The momentum shifted further seven minutes later when Chris Wood capitalized on a defensive lapse. The New Zealand international looped a header into the far corner, becoming Forest’s all-time leading Premier League scorer with his 25th goal for the club.

United clawed a goal back through Fernandes, who smashed home a powerful strike after being teed up by Amad Diallo. Despite late pressure, Forest’s defense held firm to claim all three points.

Forest Soar, United Falter

The victory propels Forest into the top five, just two points shy of a Champions League spot. United, meanwhile, languish in 13th place—marking their worst start to a league campaign since the 1986/87 season, just before Sir Alex Ferguson’s arrival.

Forest’s standout performers included Gibbs-White, who scored and assisted in a scintillating display, and Chris Wood, whose landmark goal cemented his place in the club’s history.

Amorim’s Warning Rings True

United manager Ruben Amorim had previously cautioned fans to brace for challenging times, and the defeat further underscores the scale of the task he faces.

“This is a storm we have to weather,” Amorim said midweek, acknowledging the club’s need for significant improvements. With the Manchester derby looming, United’s resolve will be tested further.

Chris Wood’s Stellar Season

Chris Wood’s impressive form continues to be a bright spot for Forest. His 10th goal of the season also marked the sixth Premier League campaign in which he has reached double figures. Across 241 top-flight appearances, Wood has netted 78 times—a testament to his consistency and importance to his team.

As Forest celebrates a memorable night at Old Trafford, United must regroup quickly, with tougher challenges on the horizon.

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