Manchester United orchestrated a remarkable comeback from a 2-0 deficit to secure a thrilling victory against Nottingham Forest.
As they entered the recent rounds of fixtures, both Manchester United and Nottingham Forest were tied with three points each from their initial two matches. Manchester United sought to put behind their disappointing 2-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur, while Nottingham Forest aimed to build on their triumph over Sheffield United.
In a packed Old Trafford stadium, it was Nottingham Forest who struck first, with Taiwo Awoniyi finding the net a mere two minutes into the game.
Broooo Taiwo Awoniyi made Onana lie in green pastures before finding the net.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂pic.twitter.com/coJDM6RctW
— ELI LEE (@EliLeezayy) August 26, 2023
⚽️🏴 GOAL | Manchester United 0-1 Nottingham Forest | Taiwo Awoniyipic.twitter.com/HpvkWrlI0G
— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) August 26, 2023
A couple of minutes later, Forest were 2-0 up thanks to Willy Boly’s header.
El Nottingham Forest GANANDO 0-2 EN OLD TRAFFORD EN 4 MINUTOS 😯😯😯
Taiwo Awoniyi y Willy Boly haciendo estragos a un United de siesta 💤#PremierLeagueDAZN ⚽🏴 pic.twitter.com/6Li9XcXMin
— DAZN España (@DAZN_ES) August 26, 2023
Christian Eriksen dragged United back into the match with 17 minutes on the clock and Casemiro completed the comeback by making it 2-2 at the start of the second half.
CASEMIRO GOAL AND BRUNO FERNANDES ASSISTTTTTT 2-2
— AB⚕ (@AbsoluteBruno) August 26, 2023
With 66 minutes on the clock, the momentum completely changed as Forest captain Joe Worrall was sent off for dragging Bruno Fernandes down.
The Red Devils were then awarded a penalty in the 75th minute after Marcus Rashford was fouled inside the box by Danilo.
United captain Fernandes stepped up and dispatched the penalty to send Old Trafford into pandemonium.
However, former Arsenal defender Martin Keown claimed that Rashford dived for the penalty.
He told BBC’s Final Score: “For me there is no way that is a penalty. In the wake of hearing Mike Dean speak in the week about refs not reporting things, it makes you ask how did VAR miss that?
“It was a clear dive.”
For the remainder of the match, United took control of the possession as they managed to hold on for a much-needed victory.
On the back of the win, United moved up to fifth place whilst Forest are in 13th. United will be up against Arsenal next weekend and Forest face another tough test in the shape of Chelsea.