MANCHESTER UNITED trail to high-flying Nottingham Forest as Anthony Elanga's early strike sends The City Ground rocking.
The host would deal the early blow on the 5th minute as the former Red Devils winger burst past a sea of bodies from his own half and into the United box before placing his finish past André Onana.
TV channel: TNT Sports 1
Stream: Discovery+
Nottingham Forest XI: Selz; Aina, Milkenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Yates, Danilo, Anderson, Gibbs-White; Elanga, Awoniyi.
Manchester United XI: Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Yoro; Dalot, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu; Garnacho, Fernandes; Zirkzee.
32 – Nottm Forest 1-0 Man Utd
Putting my neck on the line - an equaliser is coming.
Just as I was typing that Fernandes lost the ball 10 yards outside his own box but the Forest counter breaks down.
Copy linkCopied
30 – Nottm Forest 1-0 Man Utd
The visitors come forward again when Casemiro slides a ball in behind the Forest defence for Garnacho.
He drives across the pitch and into Fernandes who takes a stunning first touch 25 yards from goal to open up lots of room but his ferocious strike is right off Murillo.
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 01: Alejandro Garnacho of Manchester United in action with Neco Williams of Nottingham Forest FC during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest FC and Manchester United FC at City Ground on April 01, 2025 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Copy linkCopied
28 – Nottm Forest 1-0 Man Utd
OFF THE BAR!
It's another delivery into the near post and Dalot flicks it onto the back post where the ball comes back off the crossbar.
It lands to De Ligt who helps it into the middle and Sels punches away before rolling around in agony seemingly.
It doesn't look like much in it though and he's quite quickly to his feet after getting the free kick.
Copy linkCopied
27 – Nottm Forest 1-0 Man Utd
United corner from the right hand side again as they continue to push for an equaliser.
Copy linkCopied
26 – Nottm Forest 1-0 Man Utd
Ouch, sore one for Yates.
He gets a foot in on the edge of the box to knock the ball away from Garnacho who just catches him on the bottom of the shin.
Looked a painful one and he makes sure the referee knows about it by thumping the ground and having a roll about. He'll be fine to continue though and certainly not a foul for the referee to go to his pocket for.
Copy linkCopied
24 – Nottm Forest 1-0 Man Utd
Another chance for Elanga in good space down the Forest right.
He charges towards the box at pace and it's Casemiro who uses a bit of pace and power to dispossess him.
Copy linkCopied
From Dan King at the City Ground
Ruben Amorim acknowledged before this match how ex-United forwards Marcus Rashford and Antony were doing well in pastures new.
He will be less impressed with how another, Anthony Elanga, gave Forest the lead inside five minutes.
How United left themselves that exposed from their own corner is incredible, even allowing for how good Nuno's team are on the break.
But United have had plenty of openings and the home fans aren't relaxed at all, with referee Jarred Gillett copping plenty of abuse from the stands for not awarding fouls against United players.
Copy linkCopied
Decent start
Forest fans will obviously be delighted to have the lead.
United have been very good so far, barring the defending from that goal.
The midway point of the first half shows they've dominated much of the ball.
Copy linkCopied
17 – Nottm Forest 1-0 Man Utd
More very good football from United who win the ball on the edge of their own box and pass through Forest to get down the park.
Dorgu's low cross is cut out expertly by Sels who dives down to claim it ahead of Garnacho.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim during the Premier League match at the City Ground, Nottingham. Picture date: Tuesday April 1, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Forest. Photo credit should read: Mike Egerton/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.
Copy linkCopied
16 – Nottm Forest 1-0 Man Utd
United win another couple of corners in quick succession which Forest deal with.
But the visitors are probably playing slightly better at the minute despite being one down.
The latest corner sees Forest spring a counter attack but a rotten Gibbs-White pass for Awoniyi - who could've been clean through - brings it to a halt.
Copy linkCopied
14 – Nottm Forest 1-0 Man Utd
Casemiro actually gets his head to it but heads well wide at the near post.
Nottingham Forest's Anthony Elanga scoring the opening goal during the Premier League match at the City Ground, Nottingham. Picture date: Tuesday April 1, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Forest. Photo credit should read: Mike Egerton/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.
Copy linkCopied
13 – Nottm Forest 1-0 Man Utd
United win a corner. So that means there could be a goal coming here.
Can Forest double their lead from this United corner?
Copy linkCopied
10 - Nottm Forest 1-0 Man Utd
Another effort on the Forest goal and another for Fernandes.
Kept out comfortably again by Matz Sels.
Copy linkCopied
8 GOAL DETAIL – Nottm Forest 1-0 Man Utd
It's absolutely terrific from Elanga but the defending is AMATEUR from his former side.
In fact, that's a huge disservice to the amateur players across the country.
The header away from the United corner lands at Elanga 15 yards outside his own box.
He's then able to drive virtually unchallenged to the edge of the United box, with three United players failing to stop him and he fires low and hard across the keeper into the bottom corner.
Like I say, you can't take it away from Elanga as the pace and power was terrific. But deary me.
Copy linkCopied
6 - GOAL!! NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1-0 Man Utd
What a counter attack and what a goal from ANTHONY ELANGA!
Copy linkCopied
6 – Nottm Forest 0-0 Man Utd
Forest deal with the corner.
Copy linkCopied
5 – Nottm Forest 0-0 Man Utd
This place went silent for a second there though!
Obviously, it's Bruno Fernandes. He takes a terrific touch 25 yards from goal and a snap-shot fired on target is pushed behind by the keeper.
Copy linkCopied
2 - Nottm Forest 0-0 Man Utd
Some noise inside here. Rightly too, their team has been so impressive this term.
So much so, a huge cheer goes up after De Ligt slides in on Gibbs-White to concede a throw in.
United win it back and ironic cheers belt out as Garnacho runs the ball out of play.
Copy linkCopied
KICK-OFF!
Manchester United get this one underway!
Copy linkCopied
Here they come
Sensational reception for the teams as they make their way out at the City Ground.
Que Sera the song of choice for Wembley-bound Forest fans.
Every player is cheered as the team news is read out. A couple of huge absentees for the home side, though...
Copy linkCopied
How we stand
What's at stake then ahead of this one.
The table below is live, so Arsenal have moved up a point to 59 as they're currently 0-0 with Fulham.
Forest aren't far behind them and they can strengthen their top four hopes with victory here.
United can move closer to the top half with three points themselves.
Copy linkCopied
Heading in
Huge cheers as the two sides make their way in after the warm-up ahead of this 8pm start.
Soccer Football - Premier League - Nottingham Forest v Manchester United - The City Ground, Nottingham, Britain - April 1, 2025 Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee during the warm up before the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE FOR FURTHER DETAILS..
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 01: Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United looks on as he warms up prior to the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest FC and Manchester United FC at City Ground on April 01, 2025 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Copy linkCopied
'Different energy'
A renewed belief amongst United heading into the final straight?
Ruben Amorim certainly thinks so but knows his team have to keep improving.
He said: "I think I can say that I am really confident and the players are more confident.
"The energy is different, but I know that could change with results.
"We know we have to improve and we are ready for these final two months of this season."
Copy linkCopied
Match odds
Tough to call this one, according to the bookmakers.
Both sides are odds against, with Forest just shorter in the latest check of the markets, with a draw also likely.
Match result
Nottingham Forest – 13/10Draw – 23/10
Manchester United – 21/10
*Odds provided by Betway.
Copy linkCopied
From Dan King at the City Ground
Nottingham Forest have not done the league double over Manchester United since football began in 1992.
The season before, under Brian Clough, they managed it, and will not have many better chances to repeat the feat.
Their 3-2 win at Old Trafford in December was Ruben Amorim's first home defeat as United boss (four more have followed), Chris Wood is still out for the home team, who make one change, with Anthony Elanga in for Nico Dominguez.
Amorim has dropped Rasmus Hojlund, Christian Eriksen and Victor Lindelof to the bench (Ayden Heaven is injured), and has brought in Casemiro, Leny Yoro, Patrick Dorgu and Joshua Zirkzee.
I read a very interesting piece this morning about how Bruno Fernandes has thrived when playing as part of the midfield two, alongside Manuel Ugarte.
But Casemiro's inclusion looks like Amorim is breaking up the bromance. The same piece also noted how Yoro has not looked like a £60m defender so far, even allowing for his injury problems.
We shall see if the changes pay off against a Forest side who weren't on it in the FA Cup against Brighton yet still won.
Copy linkCopied