Nottingham Forest 1, Manchester United 0
Toothless Manchester United went down to another defeat as Nottingham Forest completed the double over them with a solo goal by ex-Red Anthony Elanga.
Embed from Getty ImagesElanga broke the deadlock after just 5 minutes of the game as Nottingham Forest executed a well taken counter attack and United conceded the first goal in a game in all competitions for the 23rd time this term.
Only Leicester City with 25 had given up the opening goal more than the Reds this season and Elanga started the counter attack from the edge of his own area before going upfield at speed to finish them off with a sweet finish after getting on the end of a headed clearance by Ryan Yates and brushing off a half hearted challenge from Alejandro Garnacho in a blistering 80 yard run from his own penalty area.
It had taken just 16 seconds after Bruno Fernandes’ corner broke down for Forest to punish the Reds but United had chances to respond in the first half.
Bruno Fernandes’ header was saved, Diogo Dalot hit the bar while Mathijs De Ligt and Casemiro all went close as United tried to claw themselves back into the game without overly threatening their hosts.
Manuel Ugarte was sacrificed for Rasmus Hojlund at the break as United sought the equaliser.
Yates’ header was saved by Andre Onana after Elanga tried to return the favour early in the second half – the Forest captain was easily offside though.
The Reds were still restricted to set pieces and long shots – Garnacho sent one effort over the bar.
The Argentine was clearly frustrated and soon afterwards was being booked for kicking the ball away after being flagged offside.
Morgan Gibbs-White went down under challenge from Leny Yoro and claimed a penalty without success as United continued to toil.
Mason Mount was a late sub for his first appearance since December and he shot just wide after the ball fell to him.
Yoro managed to nick the ball off Elanga in a last ditch tackle and Harry Maguire was a late substitute playing up front as United were forced to go long up to the big defender.
And Murillo denied Maguire an injury time equaliser, clearing off the line after he met Noussair Mazraoui’s ball into the box for a Hail Mary.
But it was not to be as Forest completed the double over the toothless Reds for the first time since 1992 to further secure a Champions league spot – they are 10 points clear of Newcastle United in 6th place while United languish in 13th.