Former Manchester United player Anthony Elanga scored a quick goal, leading Forest closer to Champions League qualification as they defeated his old team.
Before the game, United boss Ruben Amorim mentioned how former Old Trafford players Marcus Rashford and Antony were currently performing well on loan.
However, it was another former Manchester United winger who scored the only goal early in the game, despite the visitors dominating in every aspect except scoring.
TNT Sports reported that Elanga, who joined Forest in the summer of 2023, ran 85 meters in nine seconds before scoring past Andre Onana in the fifth minute.
If that`s accurate, perhaps he`s in the wrong sport.
“Anthony Elanga, he left because you’re s**t,” chanted the Forest fans.
But United were not poor. They played better for most of the match, creating more opportunities and keeping the home fans anxious until the final whistle.
Diogo Dalot hit the crossbar in the first half, while Alejandro Garnacho and Mason Mount both came close in the second half.
Yet, Elanga’s goal was enough to give Nuno Espirito Santo’s team the victory and their first league double over United since 1991-92 under Brian Clough.
Forest now needs only a few more wins to ensure they compete for the Champions League trophy that Brian Clough won twice.
Meanwhile, United are facing a potential setback, possibly their worst league finish since relegation 31 seasons ago.
As the match began, Forest fans sang Que Sera, celebrating their penalty shootout victory over Brighton, which earned them an FA Cup semi-final spot.
This game was crucial for securing European qualification, ideally for the top-tier competition they won twice in the past.
And they scored an early goal within five minutes, making a perfect start.
Cup hero goalkeeper Matz Sels’ save from Bruno Fernandes’ 20-yard shot was slightly clumsy.
However, Forest’s counter-attack from the resulting corner was brilliantly executed.
It`s surprising how United found themselves with only two defenders against two Forest attackers after their own corner.
Elanga’s speed and Morgan Gibbs-White’s supporting run created a two-on-two situation.
One might have thought Gibbs-White would be frustrated if Elanga didn`t pass.
But the former United player used Gibbs-White as a distraction and scored past Onana, while Noussair Mazraoui and Patrick Dorgu could only watch.
Interestingly, it was the 23rd time Forest scored first in a Premier League game this season, and the 23rd time United conceded first.
However, United quickly started creating chances, mainly from long shots or corners.
In the eyes of Forest fans, the visitors were also playing against referee Jarred Gillett, who they felt wasn`t awarding their team enough free kicks.
Garnacho surprisingly avoided a yellow card for a bad foul on Ryan Yates.
Diogo Dalot hit the crossbar from another dangerous corner, and Sels was relieved when Gillett called a foul in the ensuing scramble.
Murillo’s injury-time goal-line clearance then denied Mount and ensured three points for Forest.
Marcus Bellamy