Manchester United experienced their seventh loss of the season right after a victory, succumbing to a 2-1 defeat against Nottingham Forest on Saturday. This recurrent pattern has haunted the team, with triumphs over formidable opponents like Chelsea, Fulham, and Aston Villa often followed by setbacks against Bournemouth, Copenhagen, and now Forest.
The first half of the match was lackluster, transitioning into a thrilling second half. Marcus Rashford capitalized on a goalkeeper error to equalize after Nicolas Dominguez’s opener, only for Morgan Gibbs-White to secure the winner in the final ten minutes.
Rasmus Hojlund, who recently scored his first Premier League goal, was sidelined due to illness. United’s attacking prowess was notably feeble, a recurring issue for the team.
Forest initiated the game brightly, testing United’s defense early on with a cross that narrowly missed its target, aided by a deflection from Raphael Varane. United’s first shot on target came in the 33rd minute when Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s attempt from 20 yards was instantly blocked.
Erik ten Hag introduced Scott McTominay and later Amad Diallo in the second half, seeking an improvement in performance. Despite a shot from Diogo Dalot hitting the woodwork, Forest gained momentum. Dominguez seized an opportunity after a straightforward move caught United’s defense off guard, giving Forest the lead just after the hour mark.
United responded when Rashford capitalized on a goalkeeper error, firing them back into contention. However, Forest regained the lead four minutes later, with Gibbs-White delivering a polished finish from 18 yards after a swift counterattack.
The match showcased Forest’s resilience and their ability to capitalize on United’s vulnerabilities, providing them with the chance to secure a home victory against United for the first time in nearly 32 years. The recurrent trend of post-victory setbacks remains a challenge for Manchester United to address.
