MANCHESTER UNITED falter again as high-flying Nottingham Forest extend league unbeaten run to four after Anthony Elanga's early first-half strike.
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.
Late substitution-turned-unorthodox-striker Harry Maguire made his presence known in the final minutes and came close to bundling in the equaliser only for Murillo to deny him with a goal-line clearance in the last seconds.
Can they get Champions League and an FA Cup final?
Yates added: "I don't want to say as football is so cruel. We have got the cup to focus on and we have got the league.
"We are at Villa Park Saturday and they're flying. We take each game as it comes."
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 1: Ryan Yates of Nottingham Forest celebrates the 1-0 victory at full time during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest FC and Manchester United FC at City Ground on April 1, 2025 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
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More from Yates
He was snubbed for man of the match for Anthony Elanga.
On his team-mate, Yates added: "He is a dream for a midfielder.
"Especially us sitting in that low-block - you can give him the ball and he does the rest."
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Captain reacts
Ryan Yates told TNT Sports: "Special, after a massive performance and 120 minutes the other day - it is unbelievable.
"The determination, fans were incredible and buzzing to keep the run going. We're having a great season.
"The past two seasons were about staying up, keeping our head above water, and we have got that momentum at the minute."
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And for United?
They're left down in 13th place after their 13th defeat from 30 games.
They could drop as low as 15th if other results go against them in midweek...
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Where it leaves them
Nottingham Forest move nine points ahead of Manchester City in fifth place, having played a game more.
They're also 10 clear of Newcastle in sixth who have two games in hand.
They must be counting that Champions League money already, they can't throw it away now, can they!?
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'Not enough'
Ally McCoist told TNT Sports: "Anthony Elanga, what a goal to win a game of football.
"From then on, there was never a dull moment. United, I thought they played well, but they didn't create enough."
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FULL TIME!
Somehow, Forest leave this game with a clean sheet and the three points!
Nottm Forest 1-0 Man Utd
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 1: Anthony Elanga and Ola Aina of Nottingham Forest celebrate 1st goal during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest FC and Manchester United FC at City Ground on April 1, 2025 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
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90+6 – Nottm Forest 1-0 Man Utd
OFF THE LINE!
An outstanding clearance from Murillo!
Maguire is on the end of a cross and causes all sorts of chaos before sweeping a shot on goal which Murillo gets back to clear off the line.
Incredible stuff.
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90+6 – Nottm Forest 1-0 Man Utd
Jarred Gillett has had a pretty poor game in the middle but it'll be interesting to see how much time he adds on.
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90+4 – Nottm Forest 1-0 Man Utd
United throwing balls into the box with Maguire up there.
He wins the first ball but nobody is there to pick up the scraps inside the area.
They win a throw in which is taken short to Garnacho but his cross barely reaches the box and is cleared. Pretty dreadful stuff.
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90+2 – Nottm Forest 1-0 Man Utd
That was the chance for United!
Dorgu gets beyond Garnacho and to the byline.
He fires a driven ball into the box which Maguire meets with his head but he sends it miles wide.
The ball was just behind him but that was a huge chance!
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90 – Nottm Forest 1-0 Man Utd
SIX MINUTES ADDED.
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90 – Nottm Forest 1-0 Man Utd
Sangare switches the ball superbly into Williams' path down the right.
He's into the box and the right side of Garnacho but his volley is a defender's finish, well off target.
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89 – Nottm Forest 1-0 Man Utd
Nothing comes from the set piece.
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88 – Nottm Forest 1-0 Man Utd
Maguire is heading to play up through the middle as a centre forward.
Garnacho runs at Williams down the left and plays a low cross into the box despite Maguire being in the middle.
Though it is put behind for a United corner.
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86 – Nottm Forest 1-0 Man Utd
United change with a few minutes to go.
OFF: YoroON: Maguire
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 01: Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu 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)
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85 – Nottm Forest 1-0 Man Utd
Double change for the hosts:
OFF: Awoniyi & ElangaON: Sangare & Sosa
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82 – Nottm Forest 1-0 Man Utd
Elanga is 1v1 with Yoro and running towards the edge of the box but the United defender slides in superbly to dispossess him.
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81 – Nottm Forest 1-0 Man Utd
Interestingly, Gibbs-White and Milenkovic were head-to-head and separated by teammates after that.
Gibbs-White didn't track his man in the United move it seems and he then has a go at Milenkovic for that shocker of a clearance.
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80 – Nottm Forest 1-0 Man Utd
Nearly an instant impact!
Milenkovic with an absolute disaster of a clearance to the edge of his own box straight to Mount.
He takes a touch and curls one towards the far post and it misses the post by half a yard.
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78 – Nottm Forest 1-0 Man Utd
United change:
OFF: ZirkzeeON: Mount
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 01: Rasmus Hojlund of Manchester United passes the ball whilst under pressure from Murillo of Nottingham Forest 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 Michael Steele/Getty Images)
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77 – Nottm Forest 1-0 Man Utd
Gibbs-White danced his way into the United box but good defending stopped him getting a shot away.
United then come down the other end and win a corner through Hojlund.
Forest deal with it and Eriksen is booked for stopping a counter.
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75 – Nottm Forest 1-0 Man Utd
Williams throws himself in front of Garnacho who was shooting from inside the box this time and he does ever so well to get the block in.
Hojlund was great in the build-up to find him too.
The ball is then put into the box and Dorgu headed well at goal but Sels is equal to it.
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73 – Nottm Forest 1-0 Man Utd
Someone needs to tell Garnacho to stop shooting from distance.
Surely eventually he'll stop wasting decent opportunities thinking he has that in his locker!?
Dorgu gives him a terrific overlap and from 25 yards at an angle he smashes it 10 yards too high and 15 yards wide. Absolute shocker.
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71 – Nottm Forest 1-0 Man Utd
Neco Williams is booked for a late challenge on Garnacho and is the first Forest player in the book.
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