by Seconds after Morgan Gibbs-White curled in a stunning goal that won Nottingham Forest with 82 minutes gone, he celebrated by soaking up the adulation from the Trent End and putting his index fingers to his ears. It’s a tactic Erik ten Hag may need to put an end to the endless noise surrounding his job and this unpredictable Manchester United side. The amount will only increase after that, a damning 14th win of the season in all competitions. The last time they lost so many games before the turn of the year? That was 1930-31, when they were readmitted to the Second Division.
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Nicolás Domínguez’s second-half strike was canceled out by Marcus Rashford, giving United hope of another late comeback, but Gibbs-White wrapped his right foot around the ball from the edge of the box, adding another log to United’s fire. In 10 days it seems that Nuno Espírito Santo, who replaced Steve Cooper with Forest lurking above the relegation zone, has built a more fluent and spirited operation than Ten Hag together in 20 months. Nothing contained Forest’s affinity as Forest captain Ryan Yates and substitute Neco Williams combined to win the ball from Alejandro Garnacho near the corner flag with minutes remaining.
United have lost nine of their 20 league games this season – as many as they did all of last term – and are nine points adrift of the top four, a game more than outplay their competitors. Not even 10 minutes of stoppage time in the second half could paper over the cracks. When Matt Turner, the Forest goalkeeper, claimed a cross while driving in the rain in the 101st minute, Garnacho was among those in United colors who took to the turf. The final whistle soon confirmed their pain.
United finally avoided punishment for their slow start against Aston Villa on Boxing Day and it would be cruel on Forest if United register another late win here.
United were miserable in the first half. He said it was because 35-year-old defender Jonny Evans at least provided energy, his cartoon energy extinguishing danger in one breath and getting United into trouble in another. Aaron Wan-Bissaka had United’s only shot in the first half after 33 minutes, his effort deflecting harmlessly into Turner’s grasp. Ten Hag called for a change and brought on Scott McTominay for Kobbie Mainoo at half-time.
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The fare was so forgettable, supporters could be forgiven for training their eyes on the directors’ box rather than the pitch. It was there that Ineos sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford was tipped to take a prominent role on United’s football board after Sir Jim Ratcliffe bought a minority stake in the club last weekend, which took over the game. Brailsford, who also attended their comeback win against Villa, sat alongside Sir Alex Ferguson – a penny for his thoughts – and opposite John Murtough, the director of football.
United’s performance was listless and after 63 minutes they got what they deserved as Forest took the lead. Former United youngster Anthony Elanga, who was busy all over the world, fed Gonzalo Montiel, one of those Nuno had given new life to, and found an unmarked Domínguez, who smashed the ball into the bottom corner. By then United had at least one more goal on the back foot, Diogo Dalot cracking a shot against the post, but everything was looking good.
A near-drunk Turner headed back into his own net after a vicious Bruno Fernandes volley was saved by Murillo, but United struggled to work the Forest defence. United only found a way back into the game thanks to an error by Turner. The Forest goalkeeper tried to pass into Danilo but Garnacho swooped in to intercept and then squared the ball to Rashford, who deflected a first-time unerring effort low into the bottom corner.
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Unsurprisingly, then, Turner was relieved when Gibbs-White struck, his winner coming at the end of a counter-attack that started with the Forest goalkeeper getting off a Christian Eriksen strike. Yates drove forward, encouraged by the locals, eating up the ground with the United midfield visible in his absence and then spread the ball to Elanga. Gibbs-White did the rest.
