Nottingham Forest secures consecutive victories by holding on for a 2-1 win against Manchester United at the City Ground. Continuing their winning streak after defeating Newcastle United on Boxing Day, the hosts demonstrate a continued resurgence under the management of Nuno Espirito Santo.
Nicolas Dominguez opens the scoring in the 64th minute, only to have his effort nullified 12 minutes from the final whistle when Marcus Rashford capitalizes on Matt Turner’s error to level the score.
However, Forest swiftly regains the lead five minutes later, with Morgan Gibbs-White concluding a rapid counter-attack with an impressive first-time finish to secure the three points. This concludes the 2023 fixtures for both teams, with FA Cup action awaiting them next weekend. Forest is set to host Blackpool on January 7, while United will travel to face Wigan Athletic the following day.
Nottingham Forest host Manchester United in the City Ground
Nottingham Forest XI: Turner, Montiel, Niakhate, Murillo, Aina, Danilo, Dominguez, Elanga, Gibbs-White, Yates, Wood.
Manchester United XI: Onana, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Evans, Dalot, Mainoo, Eriksen, Antony, Fernandes, Garnacho, Rashford.
- Nottingham Forest record back-to-back victories for the first time this season as they deservedly beat Manchester United 2-1 in the Premier League.
- Morgan Gibbs-White scores the winner after Marcus Rashford cancelled out Nicolas Dominguez’s opener.
- Manchester United lose 14 games in a season before the turn of the year for the first time since 1930-31.
- Aston Villa move level with Liverpool earlier in the day while Manchester City also win, leaving United nine points outside the top four.
Nottingham Forest end the year on a high with consecutive victories at Newcastle United and then at home to Manchester United.
The Red Devils were at their inconsistent best to finish the year. The comeback against Aston Villa, but a poor display against lowly Forest leaves so many more questions than answers.
‘We celebrate’ – Espirito Santo
Nottingham Forest Nuno Espirito Santo was full of cheer to see in the New Year.
Six points in the last two games against to challengers for Champions League qualification.
“I celebrate and we celebrate, the players and the fans,” he told Sky Sports.
“We started well, we controlled well, compact, and then we had good spells of possession.
“In the second half, we changed and we started to go for it more and the first goal was very nice.
“The combination and spaces and the composure of the finish.”
‘Eric Ten Hag’s Reaction
Manchester United manager Eric ten Hag gave an honest appraisal of the performance and the situation the club currently finds itself in.
“It’s clear, the result is very disappointing and I was also disappointed by the performance before half-time,” he told media.
“We should have invested more in. We created less before half-time. We should have invested more by quicker play and by movement and we didn’t.
“The second half was better. We had the fight and we had our chances. The football in the second half was better.
“They kept believing and going to the end but when the result is this then we are disappointed.
“The players are not happy with this. We have to do better.”
“We have had nine different partnerships at the back but the fans don’t want to hear us saying this they want wins.
“We have had some issues but mainly the injuries but we have to turn that. In January a lot of players are returning and the performance levels can be higher.
“The rankings don’t lie but we went head-to-head with Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa.”
