NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1-0 MANCHESTER UNITED: Anthony Elanga struck against his old employers, netting a superb solo strike to secure all three points for Nuno Espirito Santo's men at the City Ground to continue United's dismal season
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21:59, 01 Apr 2025
Bruno Fernandes
Manchester United were beaten 1-0 by Nottingham Forest on Tuesday to continue their difficult season
Manchester United's rollercoaster season under Ruben Amorim continued on Tuesday night after a 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest. Former Red Devil Anthony Elanga struck against his old club in the fourth minute with a superb solo effort to hand United an uphill task for the rest of the game.
United rallied and hit the post through Diogo Dalot but struggled to find an equaliser and went into the break a goal down.
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Amorim's men failed to produce enough clear cut openings as Forest were able to sit on their lead and grind out three points - but the Red Devils came mightily close to a late goal as Harry Maguire's effort was cleared off the line in the last seconds.
Forest have now secured the league double over United with a vital win that puts them a step closer to qualifying for the Champions League.
Mirror Football has taken a look at the biggest talking points from the game at the City Ground.
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Elanga comes back to haunt United
United sold him for just £15m in the summer of 2023 and tonight Elanga sent the perfect message to his former employers with a sensational solo goal to stun the Red Devils inside the first four minutes.
The Sweden international embarked on a mazy run after picking up the ball near the edge of his own penalty area and ran the length of the pitch with three United players tracking back to stop him.
He then advanced centrally and charged into the box with no United defender attempting a challenge - before slotting calmly past Onana into the corner.
Anthony Elanga scores against United
Anthony Elanga came back to haunt United after netting a superb solo effort
Elanga gave a muted celebration in respect for his former club but it only served to show that United may have made a big mistake letting him go, and as things stand he will be playing in the Champions League next season.
The 22-year-old now has six goals and eight assists and you could make a very solid argument that he would get into Amorim's starting XI as things stand.
Only Bruno Fernandes (35) has more goals and assists combined than Elanga (28) since he arrived at Forest, and that speaks volumes.
Elanga's sale looks all the more puzzling now considering the club decided to offload him instead of Antony, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho - who have all now been shipped out on loan.
Zirkzee fails to repay faith
Joshua Zirkzee has been placed under the microscope on a number of occasions this season due to his sketchy displays since joining from Bologna for £35m last summer.
The Dutchman has scored six goals in all competitions but just three in the Premier League - with the forward being forced to play more as a substitute than as a starter this season.
But he was given a chance to impress from the off at the City Ground, with Hojlund benched - and Amorim said Zirkzee's inclusion was a "tactical reason" - insisting he had picked "the best XI to win the game".
Joshua Zirkzee
Joshua Zirkzee put in an anonymous display at the City Ground
But Zirkzee, as he has been so many times this season, was anonymous for the most part against Forest and barely touched the ball.
He offered little as an attacking option - though he was given little service - as Amorim was forced to bring on Hojlund in the second half to support him.
Casemiro and Ugarte's run ends
Neither player have covered themselves in glory this season - especially Casemiro - but the duo had put together an impressive record when they were paired together in midfield.
Casemiro has been slammed for his under-par displays in this campaign and he has come close to leaving the club in both transfer windows, but he has fared better alongside former PSG star Ugarte.
Before the Forest game, Casemiro and Ugarte had never lost when starting a game together, with United winning four games and drawing two in that time.
Manuel Ugarte
Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte had been unbeaten when starting together before Tuesday night's game
But that run came to an end on Tuesday after United were breached early and the two struggled to make an impact in midfield.
At half time, Amorim decided to take the quiet Ugarte off for Hojlund, making a tactical shift of his formation - and then abandoned his starting central midfield totally midway through the second half after Casemiro was hooked for Eriksen.
United lack cutting edge
We've certainly seen worse Manchester United performances this season and Amorim's men played some decent stuff in the first half particularly.
In the opening period, we were told about four times by co-commentator Ally McCoist how United had put together some great moves, but they still failed to put the ball in the back of the net.
United had 10 shots in the first half, which was the second-highest they had all season in the opening 45 minutes of an away game. The most was 11 in a 3-0 win over Southampton in September.
Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim looked infuriated with United's lack of sparkle in front of goal
Things didn't get much better in the second half as Hojlund and Zirkzee failed to produce a threat and Forest looked comfortable for the most part.
Their woeful finishing was summed up by Harry Maguire of all people being found in the box late on by a great Patrick Dorgu cross - though the centre-back headed it well wide.
United had a total of 20 opportunities and will be left with a feeling of "what if" as they make the journey back to Manchester.
Amorim will be frustrated by his team's lack of spark and will only solidify his desires for a new striker that can guarantee goals.
Garnacho frustrates
In a game where a former Manchester United winger caught the eye, there was additional pressure on Garnacho to deliver the goods.
The Argentine was actually shrugged off by Elanga and sent crashing to the turf before the Swedish star fired in the opening goal.
Later in the game, Garnacho was wasteful - spurning a number of opportunities as he blasted over the bar on a few occasions.
He earned the wrath of many supporters on social media, with some questioning his decision making and shooting accuracy.
Alejandro Garnacho
Alejandro Garnacho was wasteful on the wing for Manchester United
Mason Mount
Some positive news for United fans was the return of midfielder Mount, who has had a sorry time on the sidelines this season with niggling injury problems.
The former Chelsea man has not played a game since December 15 after battling a succession of hamstring injuries.
It's incredible to think this man cost United around £60m in 2023 - he's barely kicked a ball for the Red Devils and he will have been relieved to finally get back on the pitch this week, desperate not to suffer any more set-backs.
He very nearly enjoyed the perfect comeback after collecting a poor clearance on the edge of the area and curling an effort that flashed just past the far post.
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