Manchester United overturn 2-0 deficit to beat ten-man Nottingham Forest 3-2

Manchester United came back from conceding two goals in the opening four minutes to beat Nottingham Forest 3-2 at Old Trafford.

The hosts went behind after 90 seconds from their own corner with Taiwo Awoniyi running half the length of the pitch, outmuscling Marcus Rashford and sitting Andre Onana to the floor with a beautiful body feint before rolling the ball home.

The Nigerian has now scored in seven consecutive Premier League appearances for Forest and became just the third African player to do so, joining Emmanuel Adebayor and Mohamed Salah.

The visitors doubled their lead two minutes later through the head of Willy Boly and the Old Trafford crowd groaned in disapproval with the potential of a second successive league defeat on the horizon.

United responded instantly to get one back through Christian Eriksen after 17 minutes as Marcus Rashford notched a first goal contribution of the season from a tricky piece of skill and well-timed delivery into the area.

After missing an open goal in the first half Casemiro made amends shortly after the restart to level the scores at 2-2, controlling a cushioned header from Bruno Fernandes and finishing from close range past Matt Turner.

Forest captain Joe Worrall was sent off following a VAR check for a professional foul on the last man 15 minutes later, before Danilo clipped Rashford inside the area leaving referee Stuart Attwell no choice but to award a penalty.

Fernandes completed the comeback from the spot after 76 minutes and United held on to claim a second league win of the campaign, bouncing back in good fashion from last week’s defeat at Spurs.

According to Premier League betting sites, the Red Devils’ odds to make the top four are now 5/4 – the joint fourth-best, but supporters will be far from convinced after some concerning moments to start the season.

Manchester United Top Four Odds

• Manchester City @ 1/25
• Arsenal @ 3/10
• Liverpool @ 4/6
• Newcastle United @ 5/4
• Manchester United @ 5/4
• Chelsea @ 8/5
• Brighton @ 7/2
• Tottenham Hotspur @ 4/1

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12 – Since making his Premier League debut in February 2020, no player has both scored and assisted in more different games in the competition than Bruno Fernandes (12). Example. pic.twitter.com/q6kNd4qgat

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 26, 2023

Erik ten Hag’s mission to guide United back to the forefront of English football doesn’t get any easier after this, with a trip to the Emirates to face Arsenal on the horizon before they host Brighton at the Theatre of Dreams a week later.

Fernandes especially has enjoyed a positive start to the season but question marks remain around the cohesion and chemistry of this United side. Many have their doubts and those claims don’t appear far-fetched.

There is plenty of football to play however, and the reigning Carabao Cup winners will fancy their chances at adding more silverware to the cabinet this year whilst that may not be in the Premier League.

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