Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest (3:2)/ Game Recap.
Manchester United went into the game needing to improve on their recent performances, The last time out they lost 2–0 to Tottenham and it became clear very quickly that United was lacking their attacking assets with Rasmus Hojlund out with an injury. This meant that Marcus Rashford was pushed into the center-forward role away from his natural position on the left, This was made evident when Bruno Fernandes floated a ball into the box which then found Rashford with a free open header but he could only head it over the bar. He also missed many opportunities in that game and the Wolves game where he just did not look confident enough to take on the shots.
Nottingham Forest on the other hand have come to this game on the back of a recent win over Sheffield United and even though they lost to Arsenal the week before the result did not reflect the performance they put in and deserved at least a draw out of that game. Forest struggled to stay up last season taking it to the last few weeks to secure safety, They have a long way to go to secure safety but the early signs show that it is a very achievable objective and could also finish close to mid-table.
Manchester United goes into this game with an outstanding home record and are clear favorites to win, This is also due to Forest only winning, one game away from home last season and that was against Southampton. On paper Manchester United should have comfortably won this game but it did not start that way.
Game Recap:
2nd minute- After Manchester United pushed to find an early opener in this game it was the visitors who struck first catching them on the counter a floated ball over the top found Taiwo Awoniyi who then skipped past Rashford’s pathetic challenge and was through on goal. He then calmly slotted it past Onana for a shock start to this game.
( Manchester United 0–1 Nottingham Forest)
4th minute- As Manchester United try to settle down from the shock start it is Nottingham Forest who has a free kick close to the corner flag on their right side. As it was whipped in no one was able to get their head onto it but instead, it flew into Willy Boly’s head hit him squarely on the nose, and miraculously deflected into the bottom right corner. Even with the unsuspecting nature of the goal Boly still celebrated like he meant to do exactly that. An outrageous start for Forest. Old Trafford is stunned into silence.
( Manchester United 0–2 Nottingham Forest)
17th minute- A good turn of pace from Rashford in the left side of the penalty area sees him beat his man and whip in a dangerous ball across the face of goal which is then smartly turned in by the outside of the boot from Eriksen. This gives Manchester United some hope and revitalizes Old Trafford.
( Manchester United 1–2 Nottingham Forest)
25th minute- Fernandes whipped a dangerous corner across the face of the goal which was missed by Nottingham Forest Goalkeeper Matt Turner leaving an open goal for Casemiro who somehow cannot turn it in. An outrageous miss from the Brazilian.
52nd minute- Nottingham Forest concedes a free kick as Manchester United continues to pile on the pressure It is a bit too far away to shoot but after a well-worked free-kick routine it turns into a chance. Fernandes passes it to Rashford then clips it back to the unmarked Fernandes who has the technical mind to nod it across to the open Casemiro and there was no chance that he was missing this one as he puts it passed Turner and equalised.
( Manchester United 2–2 Nottingham Forest)
67nd minute- As Fernandes drives through on goal Joe Warrall takes him down on the D of the penalty area. He is then shown a red card as he is seen to be stopping a goal-scoring opportunity which puts Forest in an almost impossible mission to try and stop Manchester United from scoring.
75th minute- As Manchester United tries to penetrate the 10-man Nottingham Forest Rashford takes it past Danilo to then strive into the box. However, Danilo puts out a trailing leg and catches Rashford which then causes a penalty. A rash decision from the Forest right back. Fernandes then takes the penalty and fires it into the bottom left. No one is saving that. So the tides have turned at Old Trafford.
( Manchester United 3–2 Nottingham Forest)
Full time: Manchester United 3 Nottingham Forest 2
Debrief:
Manchester United: They showed a great mentality to come back from 2 down which was complimented by Ten Hag. This means that United has won 12 Premier League games from two or more goals behind, more than any other Prem side in history. This win shows how dearly they need Hojlund to be fit because they can’t keep playing unreliable Martial up top and playing Rashford anywhere but on the left is never going to work. When Hojlund is fit I think we will see a better-flowing United side with a higher attacking threat. After the game, Manchester United fans gathered inside Old Trafford to protest the ownership of the Glazers, wanting them to sell the club. Around 7000 people attended.
Nottingham Forest: They still showed good signs during this game and were unlucky with a few of the decisions. For instance, the red card could have easily been a yellow and it would not have been overturned. If they can build on this then they will comfortably be able to stay in the Premier League and even push up to mid-table spots. Taiwo Awoniyi has also set a Nottingham Forest record by scoring in 7 consecutive premier league games that he has started, a great feat for the player.
Next games:
Arsenal vs Manchester United Sunday 3rd September 16:30 Premier League.
Nottingham Forest vs Burnley Wednesday 30th August 19:45 EFL cup.
