Bruno ties record as Case says farewell
Manchester United came out on top in a roller-coaster game which saw Bruno Fernandes draw level with the Premier League assists record. It also marked the final appearance at Old Trafford by Casemiro who was emotional at the end. He would be glad to have marked it with a win.
The visitors were furious about the award of our second goal as they felt it was handball. They had leveled early in the second half and made the game tight at the end. They will be content to have secured their safety before this though.
Michael Carrick made three changes from the side who drew at Sunderland last time out. Casemiro came back into midfield in his penultimate game for the club whilst Diogo Dalot and Bryan Mbeumo also returned. Mason Mount, Noussair Mazraoui, and Joshua Zirkzee all dropped to the bench.
Vitor Periera made one change to the side who drew with Newcastle to secure their safety. Morgan Gibbs White was cleared to play after the facial injury he suffered against Aston Villa.
It had been a scrappy opening but the lead came from an unexpected source. Neco Williams failed to get much on his defensive header and it landed at the feet of Luke Shaw. The Forest defence allowed him time to take a second touch before he drilled it into the bottom corner. It was his first of the season and first in over three years.
The away side began to settle but were not able to create much of note. That was until the 20th minute. Omari Hutchinson brought the ball away and passed inside to Chris Wood. He let the ball run through to Morgan Gibbs-White who shot first time. Senne Lammens spread himself and blocked the effort.
United went straight down the other end and almost doubled their lead. Matheus Cunha held the ball up before releasing Bryan Mbeumo in the middle. He rounded Matz Sels, but was only able to strike the post. An attempted follow-up by Kobbie Mainoo came to nothing.
Forest were giving as good as they were getting still. They had chances through Elliott Anderson and Nicolas Dominguez, but were not able to take advantage of them. It remained the single goal at half-time.
It should have been doubled just after the break though. Cunha’s cross into the area was missed initially but retrieved by Amad Diallo. His cut-back found Mbemo at the back-post. He scooped the ball over the bar from a few yards out.
That proved costly after 54 minutes. Anderson picked up a short corner and beat Diallo far too easily. His floated cross to the back-post was met by the head of Filipe Morata. It was his first for the club.
Within two minutes the home side were back in front. A cross was played into the area that was missed by Nikola Milenkovic and volleyed goalwards by Mbembo. It was blocked by Williams, but the ball fell to Cunha who tapped home. A lengthy VAR check was conducted after it was shown that it hit the arm of Mbeumo when it came to him. The referee overruled it though to the shock of the Forest players, management and Gary Neville.
Gibbs-White evaded two challenges before being denied by Lammens yet again before Mbeumo should have made it three. Fernandes led the breakaway before sliding the ball through for the forward. He blazed it over the bar. Bruno could hardly believe it.
He was to match the record and Mbuemo was to get his goal on 76 minutes. Cunha directed the point of the attack before slotting the pass down the line for Fernandes. His dangerous low cross was missed by Diallo but slotted home by the Cameroonian. It was his first in 12 games and appeared to put the game beyond the visitors.
It was back in the balance three minutes later though. Anderson picked up the ball on the edge of the area and feigned to cross. He instead cut it back for Gibbs-White to prod home from 12 yards. The Geordie born midfielder showing why so many clubs are interested in him.
Casemiro made his departure with nine minutes left. A wry smile on his face as the Old Trafford faithful showed their appreciation for the Brazilian great.
The game was still there for anyone to take. Milenkovic added his physique to the attack in the closing stages while United were trying to catch them on the break. Sub Patrick Dorgu forced a strong save from Sels before Diogo Dalot hit the post in the final minute.
The fans stayed at the end to hear Casemiro express his gratitude and Michael Carrick to express his hope of a brighter future. His appointment is not fully confirmed yet, but seems increasingly likely. Third place is guaranteed now so he might elect to give younger players an opportunity in the final game away to Brighton on Sunday. Forest conclude an up and down season at home to Europe chasing Bournemouth.
Manchester United: Senne Lammens, Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Casemiro (Mason Mount 81), Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo (Joshua Zirkzee 80), Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha (Patrick Dorgu 80).
Subs not used: Altay Bayinder, Noussair Mazraoui, Tyrell Malacia, Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte, Ayden Heaven.
Booked: Casemiro (78), Luke Shaw (90+3)
Sent Off: None
Nottingham Forest: Matz Sels, Luca Netz, Filipe Morato, Nikola Milenkovic, Neco Williams, Morgan Gibbs-White, Elliott Anderson, Nicolas Dominguez (Ibrahim Sangare 70), Omari Hutchinson (Dilane Bakwa 70), Chris Wood (Taiwo Awoniyi 70), Igor Jesus (James McAtee 84).
Subs not used: Stefan Ortega, John Victor, Ryan Yates, Jair Cunha, Zach Abbott.
Booked: Elliott Anderson (90+4)
Sent Off: None
Referee: Michael Salisbury
Attendance:
Simply Red Man of the Match: Bruno Fernandes
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