Nottingham Forest 1-0 Man Utd: Player ratings as Elanga haunts Red Devils
- Anthony Elanga's early opening goal proved to be the match-winner on Tuesday night
- Nottingham Forest dug deep to secure all three points
- Man Utd flat in attack before Harry Maguire caused chaos
Nottingham Forest dug deep to secure their third consecutive Premier League win on Tuesday night, as they edged past Manchester United 1-0.
The City Ground faithful, off the back of Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final victory at Brighton, were joyous in the opening stages, and their mood was heightened when former Man Utd man Anthony Elanga handed the hosts an early lead.
The Swedish international broke with frightening speed from a United corner, holding off several unsuccessful challengers before finishing beyond Andre Onana.
The visitors' response was admirable, but the first half struggled for flow, which suited Forest, and United's chances were scarce. Diogo Dalot looped a header onto the crossbar, but Ruben Amorim's side had little else to show for their efforts.
Forest, who were dormant going forward after Elanga's opener, worked a couple of good chances at the start of the second period, but Ryan Yates had his header well saved by Onana, and Morgan Gibbs-White couldn't make the most of a left-footed effort after entering the box.
Their upsurge was brief, with United restoring control and enjoying much of the territory. However, whenever a yard of space opened up to get a shot away, Forest's dogged backline was on hand to prevent Sels from doing his job. Harry Maguire's utilisation as a centre-forward caused issues late on, but Murillo's superb goal-line clearance at the death ensured the hosts held on for three points.
Nottingham Forest player ratings (4-2-3-1)
Player | Rating |
|---|---|
GK: Matz Sels | 8.2/10 |
RB: Ola Aina | 6.4/10 |
CB: Nikola Milenkovic | 7.8/10 |
CB: Murillo | 8.2/10 |
LB: Neco Williams | 7.5/10 |
CM: Ryan Yates | 8.1/10 |
CM: Elliot Anderson | 7.5/10 |
AM: Morgan Gibbs-White | 7.1/10 |
RW: Anthony Elanga | 8.2/10 |
ST: Taiwo Awoniyi | 6.5/10 |
LW: Danilo | 6.2/10 |
SUB: Alex Moreno (39' for Aina) | 6.6/10 |
SUB: Morato (40' for Danilo) | 6.3/10 |
SUB: Nicolas Dominguez (67' for Anderson) | 7.1/10 |
SUB: Ibrahim Sangare (85' for Awoniyi) | N/A |
SUB: Ramon Sosa (85' for Elanga) | N/A |
Subs not used: Carlos Miguel (GK), Harry Toffolo, Willy Boly, Jota Silva.
Man Utd player ratings (3-4-2-1)
Player | Rating |
|---|---|
GK: Andre Onana | 6.1/10 |
CB: Noussair Mazraoui | 8.2/10 |
CB: Matthijs de Ligt | 6.9/10 |
CB: Leny Yoro | 7.3/10 |
RWB: Diogo Dalot | 7.7/10 |
CM: Casemiro | 6.9/10 |
CM: Manuel Ugarte | 6.4/10 |
LWB: Patrick Dorgu | 7.2/10 |
AM: Bruno Fernandes | 8.1/10 |
AM: Alejandro Garnacho | 7.0/10 |
ST: Joshua Zirkzee | 5.8/10 |
SUB: Rasmus Hojlund (46' for Ugarte) | 6.3/10 |
SUB: Christian Eriksen (59' for Casemiro) | 6.5/10 |
SUB: Mason Mount (78' for Zirkzee) | 6.1/10 |
SUB: Harry Maguire (88' for Yoro) | N/A |
Subs not used: Altay Bayindir (GK), Harry Amass, Victor Lindelof, Sekou Kone, Toby Collyer.
Player of the match - Matz Sels
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