Since the start of the new season, Manchester United's performances have been up and down, not only in the Champions League in disgrace, but also with only 31 points after the halfway point of the Premier League, and the prospect of fighting for the top four is not optimistic. However, in the last round, let the two chase three reversal of Villa, or let Ten Hag keep the position, on this match day Manchester United went to challenge Nottingham Forest away, the two teams have met Manchester United in the past 8 times to win all the record, the psychological advantage is great, the outside world is optimistic that they will take all three points, with a victory to say goodbye to 2023. United were pressed throughout, with Diogo Dalot firing a powerful shot at the post and Dominguez opening the scoring and Marcus Rashford equalising, but Gibbs-White scored the winner in the 82nd minute to send United 2-1.
Although there is a clear gap in quality, Ten Hag still does not dare to take it lightly, this game sent a number of main players, in the 4-2-3-1 system, the controversial Onana is still the starting goalkeeper, Varane and Evans partner in central defence, Dalot and Wan-Bissaka on the wings, Eriksen and teenager Mainou form a double midfield, B Fee, Garnacho and Antony are lined up, and Rashford plays the role of a single arrow.
However, as the referee's whistle blew, Manchester United were pressed and kicked by Nottingham Forest, and the Red Devils appeared quite passive. Just one minute into the opening period, Montiel and Elanga combined on the right, the latter reversed the triangle, Dominguez volleyed in the middle, and Menou contributed a key clearance. In the 7th minute, Dominguez instigated an attack with a direct pass, Eena cut in on the left, and Chris Wood volleyed from outside the box and grazed the post out of bounds.
In the 11th minute, Anthony Elanga switched to the left, used his speed to get past Wan-Bissaka, and crossed the ball near the baseline, Varane stretched his leg to clear the kick, and almost made a big mistake, the ball was hoisted towards his own goal, but fortunately the Red Devils finally slid past the goal, and the Red Devils escaped. In the 32nd minute, Danilo shifted widely, Elanga knocked back in the box, and Yates followed up with a volley high. In the 38th minute, Rashford broke through on the right and played the ball, but Antony stopped the ball and made a mistake and failed to shoot with his feet. After the first 45 minutes, Manchester United had only one shot on goal despite dominating possession, compared to six shots from Nottingham Forest. Seeing the Red Devils being suppressed by a relegation team, Sir Alex Ferguson in the stands was also anxious.
After returning to the pitch, Ten Hag made a positive adjustment, first removing Maynu with Scott McTominay and then replacing the inactive Antony with Diallo. This means that Anthony has made 21 appearances in all competitions this season, still with 0 goals and 0 assists, and Mr. 100 million has once again become a laughing stock.
Manchester United's forwards are not good, and the hope of scoring is pinned on the defenders. In the 55th minute, the Red Devils finally made a threatening attack, Aaron Wan-Bissaka's low cross from the right was followed by Diogo Dalot and bounced off the post. Ten minutes later, Nottingham Forest played a quick counter-attack, Montiel turned away in style, and then provided an assist, Dominguez followed up with a push that left Onana stunned and stood there to watch the ball go into the net to make United 1-0 down.
After falling behind by one goal, Manchester United took the initiative to speed up the tempo, and in the 66th minute, B Fei crossed from the right, and Garnacho volleyed in the penalty area, but unfortunately it was slightly high. It wasn't until the 78th minute that there was a dramatic scene on the field, Turner made a mistake in passing, Garnacho broke the ball and selflessly crossed the ball, assisting Rashford to push and equalize, 1-1!
However, United were only happy for a while, in the 82nd minute Diallo volley was saved by Turner, Nottingham Forest counterattacked, Elanga played a clever pass from the right, Gibbs White shot from outside the box, and the ball went into the net, 2-1!Interestingly, Onana was clearly in a position and was slow to react and he was responsible for the goalIn the 94th minute, B Fei bent his bow outside the penalty area, and his powerful shot sank vigorously, but he was helplessly lifted off the crossbar by Turner's flying single palm.
With a 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest, Manchester United not only bid farewell to 2023 with a defeat, but also an eight-game winning streak against Nottingham Forest came to an abrupt end. Statistically, United's last defeat to Nottingham Forest was 29 years ago, and Ten Hag has created another huge humiliation.