Michael Carrick continued to strengthen his case to be the next manager of Manchester United as he guided his side to a 3-2 win at home to Forest.
Carrick’s side were aided by a controversial second goal but were well worth the win as Bruno Fernandes grabbed his 20th assist of the Premier League season in a thrilling match.
Luke Shaw opened the scoring with a rare goal before Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo scored in the second half.
Forest responded twice through Morato and captain Morgan Gibbs-White but never looked like coming away with a point.
Carrick has won 11 of 16 games since replacing Ruben Amorim and has brought Champions League football next season and now looks set to be offered a two- or three-year deal.
Casemiro said goodbye to Old Trafford with an emotional farewell.
The 34-year-old leaves this summer and after some costly mistakes at the start of his lucrative stay he has shown enough in recent times to move him out of the flop category and make a smart signing.
Shaw’s impressive goal was his first since January 2023. A cross from the right was not dealt with by the Forest defense and the England man took a touch before firing a low shot past Matz Sels.
Gibbs-White should then have equalized but was denied by a good save from Senne Lammens, and United broke immediately and Mbeumo hit the post after rounding Sels.
Mbeumo wasted another good chance early in the second half as the drought continued.
Elliot Anderson then headed home Morato’s stunning header for his first Premier League goal.
Two minutes later Cunha directed it after Mbeumo had a shot blocked but the ball hit the Cameroonian’s arm before falling to the Brazilian’s feet.
‘That’s scary’
A VAR review asked referee Michael Salisbury to look at the decision cautiously and after a long debate the goal was allowed.
“To be honest, it’s ridiculous,” former United captain Gary Neville told Sky Sports. “I can’t believe what I saw, that’s handball, it’s shocking.
“The VAR has looked at it for three minutes and the referee has one more minute left. They are overthinking.”
Mbeumo fired again after a good play by Fernandes before the two combined for the third goal. Fernandes’ low cross from the right was just right and Mbeumo was able to direct it in.
Fernandes has now equaled the record for most assists in a Premier League season (20), equaling Thierry Henry in 2002-03 and Kevin De Bruyne in 2019-20.
Gibbs-White – who returned to the fold after suffering a facial injury – then made it 3-2 with a stunning finish but United held on to take the points.
