Nottingham Forest inflicted a second consecutive Premier League defeat on Manchester United on Saturday, defeating Ruben Amorim’s side 3-2 at Old Trafford.
United forward Rasmus Højlund equalised Nikola Milenković’s early goal, but strikes from Morgan Gibbs-White and Chris Wood put the visitors in command. Despite Bruno Fernandes pulling one back, Forest held firm to claim victory.
Forest’s first win at Old Trafford since 1994 lifts them to fifth in the Premier League table, while United languish in 13th place.
Amorim made a positive start after succeeding the sacked Erik ten Hag last month, drawing one and winning two of his first three matches. However, he had previously warned that the “storm will come” for the struggling club, which has endured a poor start to the season.
United’s woes deepened following a 2-0 defeat at Arsenal in midweek, compounded by Saturday’s home loss.
“A tough game in a tough moment, but we have to continue the job,” a disappointed Amorim told the BBC.
“This is a long journey. We are improving in some aspects. We have to win games to help us improve the team.
“We are at the start of something so big that we pay attention to every detail. We already know it’s a big job, so we have to continue.”
The former Sporting Lisbon manager is likely to be as frustrated with the manner of the goals conceded as the result.
Set-Piece Struggles
Set-pieces again proved United’s undoing, as Milenković headed home from an Elliot Anderson corner in the second minute after beating Lisandro Martínez to the ball.
United rallied, and Højlund equalised in the 18th minute, turning in a loose ball after Alejandro Garnacho’s shot was blocked by Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels.
However, Forest regained control, with Jota Silva hitting the crossbar from a header. Fernandes nearly gave United the lead before the break, but his 25-yard free-kick was tipped onto the crossbar by Sels.
Forest struck again early in the second half. Fernandes lost possession to Callum Hudson-Odoi, who set up Gibbs-White to fire in a swerving 20-yard strike that Andre Onana failed to stop.
Wood extended Forest’s lead in the 54th minute, meeting a Gibbs-White cross with a looping header that eluded Matthijs de Ligt, Onana, and Martínez.
United reduced the deficit just after the hour mark when Amad Diallo set up Fernandes, who fired past Sels from the edge of the box.
Despite renewed belief and late pressure from the home side, Forest blunted their attacks. Substitute Marcus Rashford and Lisandro Martínez came close in stoppage time, but Forest held on to secure victory.