Manchester United: 3–2 Nottingham Forest: Fernandes equals assist record as United seal third place | OneFootball

Bruno Fernandes reached 20 assists to equal the record tally for a Premier League season in Manchester United’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest, securing 3rd place in the final home match of the campaign.

Luke Shaw opened the scoring after just five minutes, but centre-back Morato would level on 53 minutes with his first goal for the Trees by powering home one of many pinpoint deliveries from Elliot Anderson.

Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo took back the lead in an end-to-end second half, which saw Old Trafford rise to give Casemiro a standing ovation on his final game in front of the United faithful in an emotional afternoon.

As it happened

Manchester United started on the front foot, playing with intensity and aggression while dominating possession in the opening stages.

United took the lead five minutes into the match through a superb strike from Luke Shaw, who drilled a low effort into the bottom corner. It marked his first goal since January 2023.

Shaw’s fifth-minute opener was the earliest goal scored at Old Trafford since Rasmus Hojlund found the net after just 2 minutes and 34 seconds against Tottenham Hotspur in 2024.

Casemiro had the chance to double Manchester United’s lead after meeting a cross from Bruno Fernandes, but his effort was comfortably gathered by Matz Sels.

Nottingham Forest registered just one effort on goal in the opening stages, which caused little trouble for Semme Lammens.

Morgan Gibbs-White saw his effort saved by the goalkeeper, although replays suggested he may have been offside.

Manchester United responded with a swift counterattack through Bryan Mbeumo, whose strike crashed against the left post, before Casemiro went close to doubling the lead.

Both sides enjoyed an even share of possession as the half-hour mark approached, and Nottingham Forest nearly found an equalizer when Anderson’s corner picked Chris Wood, but Shaw was on hand to clear the danger.

Lammens got away with a costly mistake, similar to the error he made against Liverpool.

Kobbie Mainoo came to his rescue with a clever turn away from Anderson, who then brought him down while attempting to challenge the loose ball.

Fernandes could have scored for United, but his effort sailed largely off target; United could have been three up at the half-hour mark.

Nottingham Forest was awarded a free kick on the edge of the box after Diogo Dalot brought down Morgan Gibbs-White.

Anderson delivered the set-piece into Nicolas Dominguez, but the midfielder could not keep his header down.

It was an entertaining and fast-paced first half, played with intensity and attacking intent from both sides.

United registered ten shots to Forest’s four by the interval, underlining their greater attacking intent and dominance in the opening half.

United could have doubled their lead minutes into the second half after Mbeuno missed an easy chance.

Forest finally got themselves on the scoresheet after 54 minutes through a Morato header that made it 1-1.

The hosts responded immediately through Matheus Cunha, who restored the lead at 2-1, with his effort standing after a VAR check for handball confirmed the goal.

Mbeuno could have made it three for United, but his effort sailed wide and denied Fernandes’ chance for a record-breaking assist.

United made it 3-1 through Mbeumo, who finally took his chance, converting from a Fernandes assist that moved the midfielder level with Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne on 20 assists in a season.

Forest hit back on the counter to make it 3-2, with Gibbs-White finishing clinically to bring them back into the game.

United made a triple change, with Mbeumo, Cunha and Casemiro—who received a standing ovation in his final appearance at Old Trafford.

They were replaced by Joshua Zirkzee, Mason Mount, and Patrick Dorgu for the closing ten minutes.

Fernandes could have claimed his 21st assist and moved beyond the record, but Zirkzee wasted two late chances in the eighth minute of added time before the final whistle.

Next up for Manchester United is a trip to the south to face Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium on Sunday, May 24 in the final game of the season.