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. Next upThe big games keep coming for both of these sides.Nottingham Forest have tricky games with Aston Villa, Everton and Spurs before their FA Cup semi final with Man City.United have a Manchester derby this weekend and an away trip at Newcastle sandwiched by their Europa League ties with Lyon.Copy linkCopiedMakeshiftHarry Maguire was brought on with a few minutes to go and played through the middle as a centre forward.On that decision, Amorim told BBC 5 Live: “If you look at the game in the final 15 minutes they were defending with six men in the box so we had to get more players in there. “We cannot get inside the box with the combinations.”Harry Maguire is really strong on set pieces and when you are in the opposite box you are a striker not a defender. “He is maybe the best guy to play inside the box.”Copy linkCopiedSpeedAnthony Elanga scored a wondergoal against former club Manchester United as fans hailed it the “goal of the season” – but left viewers divided with his celebration.The Nottingham Forest star, 22, scored what proved to be the winner within five minutes thanks to an outrageous solo effort.As the Midlanders cleared their lines from a corner, Elanga picked the ball up in his own half.The Swedish international weaved his way through three Man Utd defenders and kept going all the way into United’s box.He covered an incredible 85 metres in just nine seconds hitting around 21mph, keeping near-Olympic 100m pace, to catch United on their heels.Copy linkCopiedMatch reportMan Utd old boy Anthony Elanga zapped his former employers with a lightning goal and edged Forest a step closer to the Champions League.United boss Ruben Amorim noted before the game how Old Trafford exiles Marcus Rashford and Antony were currently thriving on loan.But it was another former Red Devils wideman who scored the early, only goal in a game in which the visitors did everything but score.TNT Sports claimed Elanga, who joined Forest in the summer of 2023, had run 85 metres in nine seconds before slotting past Andre Onana in the fifth minute.If that is true, perhaps he is in the wrong sport.Copy linkCopiedChampions League football coming?Nuno replied: “Let’s focus on the next one. It is day-by-day.”Copy linkCopiedOn beating United againHe is the first manager since Brian Clough to do the double over Man Utd as Forest boss.But Nuno said: “The records, the boys are breaking all of them and today the City Ground was part of the game. “We were against the ropes. The City ground helps us.”Copy linkCopiedNuno on the winHe told TNT Sports: “We had to suffer, hard work, believe, helping each other, clearance on the line. It was a very hard game for us.””Anthony Elanga is a special boy and he gives this team his speed. He does it by himself and we are delighted.”Copy linkCopiedMain manEverything United do is through Bruno Fernandes.And it’s quite incredible the amount of times he manages to find himself in possession, particularly with Ryan Yates following his every move tonight.It’s a pity those round about him aren’t on his wavelength.Copy linkCopiedHe concluded”We helped them to win three points. I see progress in the game. “Everyone can say whatever they want to say, I see things but we need to win.”We go to the next match. We have Europa League and the next Premier League game.”Copy linkCopiedMore from RubenHe added: “We had a lot of shots and pushed them to the final third but in the end, we had a lack of quality in the final third.”We need to win games. We deserve more from this game, that is clear, but it is our fault. “We cannot concede in the transition of set pieces. We should have won this game, not even draw, but in the end we lost three points.”You know the characteristics of the team. One goal puts them in the place they love. We have to score to win the game, it is frustrating.”Copy linkCopiedThe numbers back that upAs Ruben Amorim said, they were rubbish in front of goal.It was just about record-breaking rubbish, too.Backed up by this X post from OptaJoe, who said: “Manchester United had 24 shots v Nottingham Forest, their most in a Premier League game in which they failed to score since September 2021 against Aston Villa (28), and their joint-most on record (from 2003-04) in an away game without scoring in the competition. Wayward.”Copy linkCopiedRuben frustrationRuben Amorim bemoaned his side’s lack of cutting edge and said his side shouldn’t have lost OR drawn the game – but should’ve won.He told TNT Sports: “We controlled the game but we already knew this team can score out of nothing.”When they score, it changes the game for what they want. We tried and had good opportunities.”In the final third, the last pass was not there. We don’t have that and we cannot score goals. This season is like that.”Copy linkCopiedPraise for the bossElanga concluded: “We have one of the lowest possession in the league, but it has been effective and it is something we have worked on since pre-season. Murillo’s block means more than a goal, seeing it on the bench I was like ‘Wow’.”It started in pre-season, the manager came in December last season and when he came we struggled.”He got his ideas across and we have been able to play different systems. Every player can play any position. That togetherness is important and it says it on the pitch.”Copy linkCopiedCalm finishAnd the finish at the end of that long, mazy run is something that has come from hard work.Elanga added: “The finish was something I’ve worked on. You can run fast but you need to remain calm.”Coming here was about playing, I’m not the finished product. I learnt a lot at Man United. I appreciate them a lot. “I am enjoying my football and want to keep going.”Copy linkCopied’Attack the space’ICYMI – Anthony Elanga was recorded as running 85 metres in just nine seconds for his goal.Asked about that pace and dribbling power, Elanga told TNT Sports: “It’s about attacking the space and getting to the edge of the box as quick as I can, that’s where you can hurt the opposition. “I saw the space and I back that I can show it on the pitch. It’s not too shabby!”Copy linkCopiedMore from OptaOpta Analyst give Nottingham Forest an 81.8& chance of finishing in the top four now.And with fifth set to get Champions League football too, they’d finish in the top five in 93.3% of simulations.Pretty much guaranteed then…Copy linkCopiedConstantly chasingAn incredible stat from OptaJoe here as United continue to concede first and give themselves a mountain to climb.On X, they’ve posted: “23 – In all competitions this season, only Leicester City (25) have conceded the opening goal in more matches among all Premier League sides than Manchester United (23). Uphill.”Copy linkCopiedCan 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.”Copy linkCopiedMore from YatesHe 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.”Copy linkCopiedCaptain reactsRyan 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.”Copy linkCopiedAnd 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…Copy linkCopiedWhere it leaves themNottingham 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!?Copy linkCopiedFull time from Dan King at the City GroundTwo big moments went Forest’s way – Elanga’s goal and Murillo’s goal-line clearance. There really were signs of United improving, but they’ve spent £100m on strikers who can’t score. In the final third, there is a lack of quality and confidence. Forest are the opposite. Elanga took his chance brilliantly and the band of brothers held out to make sure it was the only goal.Copy linkCopied’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.”Copy linkCopiedFULL TIME!Somehow, Forest leave this game with a clean sheet and the three points!Nottm Forest 1-0 Man UtdCopy linkCopied More
