Michael Carrick took another big step towards becoming Manchester United’s next permanent manager when he led his team to a 3-2 win at home at Old Trafford against Nottingham Forest.
Carrick’s side were helped by a controversial second goal, but were still fully deserved victors in an entertaining game in which Bruno Fernandes recorded his record-breaking 20th assist of the Premier League season.
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Luke Shaw opened the scoring with a rare goal, before Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo scored in the second half.
Forest twice reduced the deficit through Morato and captain Morgan Gibbs-White, but never seemed to be able to snatch points from the match.
Carrick has won 11 of 16 games since taking over from Ruben Amorim, and has also secured Champions League qualification for next season. Now he seems to have the opportunity to impress on a two- or three-year contract.
Casemiro said goodbye to Old Trafford in an emotional farewell.
The 34-year-old Brazilian will leave the club this summer. After a few costly mistakes early in his stay – which have nevertheless been very lucrative – he has shown enough at the end to lift himself out of the “flop” category and instead be remembered as a wise signing.
Shaw’s masterful goal was his first since January 2023. A cross from the right was not handled by the Forest defence, and the Englishman took a touch before hammering a low shot past Matz Sels.
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Gibbs-White really should have equalized soon after, but was stopped by a brilliant save from Senne Lammens. United countered immediately, and Mbeumo hit the post after going around Sels.
Mbeumo missed another great chance at the start of the second half, and the goal drought continued.
Then Elliot Anderson hit a sensational cross that Morato headed into the net – his first Premier League goal.
Two minutes later, Cunha made it 2-1, after Mbeumo had a shot blocked. However, the ball hit the Cameroonian on the arm before falling down to the Brazilian.
“It was shocking”
A VAR review asked referee Michael Salisbury to check the decision on the screen. After a long discussion, the goal was approved.
“Honestly, this is ridiculous,” former United captain Gary Neville said on Sky Sports. “I don’t believe what I’ve seen. It’s handball. It was a shock.
“VAR has looked at it for three minutes, and the referee has used a minute as well. They are completely overthinking,” he added.
Mbeumo then fired over again after great play from Fernandes, before the duo combined to make it 3-1. Fernandes’ low cross from the right was perfect, and Mbeumo managed to steer the ball into the net.
Fernandes has now equalled the record for most assists in a Premier League season (20). That puts him on the same level as Thierry Henry in 2002–03 and Kevin De Bruyne in 2019–20.
Gibbs-White – back in the team after a facial injury – reduced the deficit to 3-2 with a brilliant low finish, but United held off and took all three points.
