Fernandes matches Premier League assist record as Man Utd defeat Forest | OneFootball

Bruno Fernandes matched the Premier League assist record as Manchester United defeated Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford.

With little to play for either team the first half in particular felt like a Casemiro testimonial especially when the tempo dropped after United's opener.

It took just six minutes for the home side to get ahead when a hooked cross by Bruno Fernandes wasn't cleared by the Forest backline with Luke Shaw of all people eventually finding the net.

The visitors did have moments in the first 45 with Morgan Gibbs-White the liveliest player and forcing Senne Lammens into a fine save. Just seconds later, United broke at speed with Bryan Mbeumo hitting the post.

There were more goals and action in the second half though. Forest equalised eight minutes after the restart after a lovely Elliott Anderson cross that Morato headed in.

Shortly after, United retook the lead with some controversy. Bryan Mbeumo appeared to handle the ball before Forest attempted to clear with Matheus Cunha following up to make it 2-1. VAR did advise referee Michael Salisbury to have a look at the screen but he did not overturn his own decision deeming the handball 'accidental'. The Cameroonian may well have been helped that the ball came off his thigh before his arm – the kind of decision that forever seems unclear with the current handball rules.

Mbeumo did eventually get on the scoresheet himself but not before blazing a great chance over. Instead the forward had to wait until the 76th minute when he managed to latch on the end of Fernandes' low cross – a goal that resulted in the United captain matching the Premier League assist record with 20.

The two-goal cushion didn't last long though with Anderson again finding a good low ball and this time Gibbs-White got to the end of it with an excellent finish from his left foot.

Shortly after, Michael Carrick made his first three changes including taking off the departing Casemiro who received a standing ovation from the home fans.

There was still eight minutes of time for the visitors to get back into the game but it was United on the break who looked most likely to score with Diogo Dalot hitting the post following a quick counter attack. Then in the final seconds, Matz Sels needed to react quickly to deny Joshua Zirkzee to keep the score at 3-2.

Incidents: The story of the match

Manchester United Official Line-ups:

Senne Lammens, Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martínez, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, Matheus Cunha

Nottingham Forest Official Line-ups:

Matz Sels, Nikola Milenkovic, Morato, Neco Williams, Luca Netz, Morgan Gibbs-White, Nicolás Domínguez, Elliot Anderson, Igor Jesus, Chris Wood, Omari Hutchinson

1':

The match begins

Manchester United lead Nottingham Forest 1-0. Luke Shaw scores for Manchester United with a left-footed shot from the left side of the box.

5':

GOAL Manchester United: Luke Shaw (Manchester United) scores!

Luke Shaw scores goal number 1 in the competition (37 matches) Luke Shaw scores goal number 6 for his team (326 matches)

Nottingham Forest equalizes to 1-1 with a header from Morato into the left corner, assisted by Elliot Anderson's cross following a corner.

53':

GOAL Nottingham Forest: Morato (Nottingham Forest) scores!

Morato scores goal number 1 in the competition (20 matches)

Matheus Cunha scores for Manchester United with a right-footed shot from the center of the box into the right corner. The goal is confirmed after a VAR review. The score is now 2-1 in favor of Manchester United.

55':

GOAL Manchester United: Matheus Cunha (Manchester United) scores!

Matheus Cunha scores goal number 10 in the competition (33 matches) Matheus Cunha scores goal number 11 for his team (36 matches)

Manchester United 3, Nottingham Forest 1. Bryan Mbeumo scores for Manchester United with a left-footed shot from the center of the box into the left corner, assisted by Bruno Fernandes' cross.

76':

GOAL Manchester United: Bryan Mbeumo (Manchester United) scores!

Bryan Mbeumo scores goal number 10 in the competition (32 matches) Bryan Mbeumo scores goal number 12 for his team (34 matches)

Nottingham Forest scores as Morgan Gibbs-White shoots with his left foot from the center of the box into the left corner, assisted by Elliot Anderson. The match score is now Manchester United 3, Nottingham Forest 2.

78':

GOAL Nottingham Forest: Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest) scores!

Morgan Gibbs-White scores goal number 14 in the competition (36 matches)

998':

The referee whistles for the end of the match