After a solid win in the fourth round against Newport, an all-Premier League tie awaited in the fifth round as United headed to Nottingham looking to progress into the quarter-final stages of the competition. While this wasn’t the best watch from a neutral perspective, the win keeps United with a possibility of silverware this season.

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Teams

Nottingham Forest: Turner, Toffolo, Murillo, Felipe, Williams, Danilo (Reyna 90′), Yates (Ribeiro 90′), Origi (Hudson-Odoi 79′), Gibbs-White, Elanga, Awoniyi

Subs: Vlachodimos, Omobamidele, Niakhate, Kouyate, Dominguez, Gardner

Manchester United: Onana, Amrabat (Evans 90′), Lindelof, Varane, Dalot, McTominay (Mainoo 90′), Casemiro, Garnacho, Fernandes, Antony (Amad 73′), Rashford

Subs: Bayindir, Ogunneye, Kambwala, Eriksen, Forson, Collyer

Nottingham Forest 0-1 Manchester United

The night at the City Ground began with promise for both sides. Manchester United enjoyed the greater share of possession and crafted several early opportunities. Antony rattled the crossbar inside the opening minutes with a sharp first-time strike, and Diogo Dalot later sent over a teasing cross which Scott McTominay headed narrowly wide after a strong run down the flank. Yet Forest displayed resilience. The home side, spurred on by the mood of their supporters, began to grow into the contest, creating a couple of half-chances of their own, most notably efforts from Neco Williams and Taiwo Awoniyi that flashed just off target. At half-time, the score remained 0–0, with the game finely balanced and very much still up in the air.

After the break, Forest came out with a bit more urgency and started to test United’s defence more frequently, with Origi and Awoniyi both posing a threat. Their goalkeeper was called into sharp action, reacting well to a pair of dangerous strikes. Nonetheless, United gradually reasserted control, pressing, recycling possession, and probing gaps whenever they could. As the clock ticked down, it seemed as though the match might drift to extra time. But then, in the 89th minute, a moment of quality: Bruno Fernandes curled in a free-kick from the left flank, the ball bounced awkwardly on the edge of the six-yard box, and Casemiro stooped to send a glancing header past the goalkeeper. After a tense wait, the goal was confirmed, sending the travelling United supporters into raptures.

With that late strike, Manchester United edged through to the quarter-finals, securing a hard-fought victory. For Forest, it was a cruel end to a night of endeavour: they had shown grit and threatened on occasions but lacked the finishing punch when it mattered. For United, this was a precious lifeline in a turbulent season, the kind of gritty, late-win that keeps hope alive. Casemiro’s intervention will be remembered as the difference on a cold night in Nottingham.

Talking Points

Manchester United dominated possession for much of the match but struggled to break down a resilient Nottingham Forest defence. Early chances came from Antony, who hit the crossbar, and Scott McTominay, whose header narrowly missed. Forest, meanwhile, threatened on the counter through Taiwo Awoniyi and Neco Williams, keeping United’s defenders on their toes. Despite United’s territorial advantage, the first half ended goalless, with both teams showing glimpses of attacking intent but neither able to find a breakthrough.

The second half saw Forest push higher up the pitch, testing United’s goalkeeper with sharp strikes from Awoniyi and Divock Origi. United gradually regained control, relying on patient build-up play and pressing to create openings. The match looked destined for extra time until the 89th minute, when a well-delivered Bruno Fernandes free-kick found Casemiro, who rose to nod the ball past Forest’s goalkeeper. The goal highlighted United’s persistence and clinical edge in critical moments, underlining the importance of seizing opportunities in tight cup ties.

Ultimately, Manchester United advanced to the FA Cup quarter-finals thanks to Casemiro’s late winner. For Forest, it was a night of near misses and solid defensive work, but the lack of finishing proved costly. United’s victory provides momentum and a morale boost amid a challenging season, while Forest can take pride in their performance despite the narrow exit. The game served as a reminder that cup football often hinges on fine margins and moments of individual quality.