Manchester United’s winning run did not extend to four games, but a spectacular, memorable hit from Amad did secure a draw for the Reds on the road at the City Ground. A 2-2 result against Nottingham Forest,
likely a deserved result for United, but still a match both teams will have wanted more from.
Ruben Amorim went with an unchanged starting XI, and at least in the first half the decision looked like a correct one. Certainly the partnership of Bryan Mbeumo and
The breakthrough came on a corner routine that perhaps shouldn’t have happened in the first place. The officials pointed to the corner flag as a Forest defender attempted to save a ball from going out of bounds, and it looked as though maybe the ball hadn’t entirely crossed the line, but the corner was given regardless. The ball swung toward Casemiro at the top of the six-yard box, and the Brazilian planted it into the bottom corner of the net with a powerful header.
The Reds, playing in black as the visitors at the City ground, hadn’t dominated quite like they had against Brighton & Hove Albion in the first half, but they were deserving of the chances created, and the one they converted. Benjamin Sesko had a couple of quick takes land wide of the target, and Amad forced a save from distance, but the width and quick passing game was working.
What happened next was also deserved.
Forest had ventured forward a few times in the first half, but opened the second half with real intention. They were a level higher than United’s back line, who paid for the lack of intensity.
The first goal for the hosts came from a great team move, started by Eliot Anderson switching the field to the right-hand side. The ball fell for Ryan Yates, who found Morgan Gibbs-White’s head with a cross, and suddenly the game was level.
It only took a few moments for Forest to find the lead. It wasn’t as pretty of a move, and in fact was pretty scrappy as the ball fell for Nicolo Savona amid a host of United defenders. He still had the time to take a touch and fire in an easy goal, or at least a goal made to look easy, and put United under pressure just minutes into the second half.
The Reds had to secure things at the back, but found a way forward again. Bruno Fernandes had one opportunity to sneak past the keeper but rebound off the upright, falling to Casemiro for an off-balance shot that clipped the other post on the way out.
An equalizer eventually came in spectacular fashion. A corner aimed at Dorgu was headed away, and sat up perfectly for Amad to fire with a ferocious volley, sending the ball into the net for 2-2.
He nearly netted the winner in stoppage time, firing away at another rebound only to see it cleared off the line.
In the end, 2-2. Sorry to the hair guy.
United go again against Spurs next Saturday.
