Former Manchester United winger Anthony Elanga scored against his old team, securing a victory for Nottingham Forest and boosting their Champions League aspirations.
Manchester United`s manager Ruben Amorim had previously mentioned the success of former Old Trafford players Marcus Rashford and Antony while on loan.
However, it was another former Manchester United winger who scored the decisive early goal, in a match where the away side dominated in every aspect except scoring.
TNT Sports reported that Elanga, who joined Forest in the summer of 2023, sprinted 85 meters in nine seconds before scoring past Andre Onana in the fifth minute.
The home fans jubilantly chanted, “Anthony Elanga, he left ‘cos you’re s**t.”
Despite the chants, Manchester United played well, being the superior team for most of the game, creating numerous opportunities and keeping the home fans on edge until the final whistle.
Diogo Dalot`s first-half shot hit the crossbar, and Alejandro Garnacho and Mason Mount both came close to scoring in the second half.
Ultimately, Elanga’s early goal was sufficient for Nuno Espirito Santo’s team to secure victory and achieve their first league double over Manchester United since the 1991-92 season under Brian Clough.
Forest now needs only a few more victories to ensure they compete for the prestigious Champions League trophy.
Meanwhile, Manchester United is facing the possibility of their worst league finish since their relegation 31 years prior, reminiscent of the 1970s.
As the match began, Forest fans celebrated their penalty shootout victory over Brighton, which earned them an FA Cup semi-final spot, with renditions of Que Sera.
This game was crucial for securing a place in European competition, ideally the top-tier Champions League, a trophy Forest has won twice in the past.
They made an ideal start with a goal within the first five minutes.
Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels’ save from Bruno Fernandes’ 20-yard shot was somewhat unconvincing.
However, Forest’s counter-attack from the resulting corner was executed with precision.
After their own corner, Manchester United found themselves in a three-on-two defensive situation. It`s questionable how this happened.
Elanga’s exceptional speed and Morgan Gibbs-White’s supporting run turned it into a two-on-two.
Gibbs-White might have been frustrated that Elanga didn`t pass to him.
However, Elanga used Gibbs-White as a decoy perfectly, slotting the ball past Onana as Noussair Mazraoui and Patrick Dorgu watched helplessly.
This was the 23rd time Forest had scored first in a Premier League game this season, and the 23rd time United had conceded first.
United quickly began creating chances, mostly from long range or corners.
The Forest supporters felt that referee Jarred Gillett was biased against their team, not awarding them deserved free kicks.
Garnacho surprisingly avoided a yellow card for a bad foul on Ryan Yates.
Diogo Dalot’s header hit the crossbar from another dangerous corner, and Sels was relieved when Gillett called a foul in the ensuing scramble.
