Well that optimism didn’t last long did it?

After the Boxing Day win over Villa, it felt like United could begin to turn around their performances on and off-field with the background takeover becoming closer. However, a trip to Nottingham became their 5th defeat of the month, a horrendous run that puts everything into question at the club who surely cannot wait for the whole season to end, let alone the year.

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Teams

Nottingham Forest: Turner, Aina (Toffolo 87′), Murillo, Niakhate, Montiel (Williams 74′), Danilo (Boly 87′), Yates, Dominguez (Hudson-Odoi 79′), Gibbs-White, Elanga (Mangala 87′), Wood

Subs: Vlachodimos, Worrall, Tavares, Kouyate

Manchester United: Onana, Dalot, Evans, Varane, Wan-Bissaka (Reguilon 90′), Eriksen, Mainoo (McTominay 46′), Garnacho, Fernandes, Antony (Amad 54′), Rashford

Subs: Bayindir, Kambwala, Gore, Van de Beek, Mejbri, Pellistri

Nottingham Forest 2-1 Manchester United

Nottingham Forest rounded off 2023 in style with a spirited 2–1 victory over Manchester United at the City Ground. In a match full of energy and intent, Forest showed from the opening whistle that they were ready to take the game to their visitors. United struggled to find rhythm in the first half, with Forest’s pressing making life uncomfortable and the home crowd roaring every tackle and transition.

The breakthrough eventually came midway through the second half when Nicolás Domínguez finished off a well-crafted move, sparking wild celebrations in the Trent End. United responded quickly, however, as Marcus Rashford levelled the score with a crisp strike that briefly silenced the home support. For a moment, it looked like the visitors might seize control, but Forest refused to allow the equaliser to derail their momentum.

The decisive moment arrived late on when Morgan Gibbs-White curled a superb effort beyond André Onana to restore Forest’s lead and set the stadium alight once more. United pushed for a second equaliser in the dying minutes, but Forest held firm with impressive composure. The final whistle confirmed a deserved win for the hosts, one that capped off the year with optimism and highlighted the resilience and growing confidence within Nuno Espírito Santo’s side.

Talking Points

One of the major talking points from Forest’s win was the tactical discipline and organisation Nuno Espírito Santo managed to instil in such a short space of time. Forest pressed with cohesion, defended in numbers when required, and transitioned with intent, something that had been missing during their difficult run earlier in the season. Their midfield trio set the tone, with Domínguez and Mangala snapping into challenges and keeping United from settling into any sustained rhythm.

Manchester United’s inconsistency was once again under the spotlight. Despite Rashford’s well-taken equaliser, Erik ten Hag’s side struggled to impose themselves, lacked control in midfield, and were frequently exposed in defensive transition. Onana, who had been improving in recent weeks, found himself beaten twice from well-worked Forest moves, while United’s attacking patterns seemed disjointed for long stretches. The late push for an equaliser felt more like a scramble than a structured assault.

The defining moment, and another key talking point, was Morgan Gibbs-White’s superb winning goal. His curling finish wasn’t just technically excellent; it summed up Forest’s confidence and bravery on the night. His celebration, full of emotion, underlined how much the moment meant to both player and supporters. For Forest, the result felt like a statement win to close out the year, while for United it raised fresh questions about consistency, creativity, and their ability to manage key moments in tight Premier League games.