17 May 2026

Man Utd 3-2 Forest: Post match report

Manchester United beat Nottingham Forest 3-2 at Old Trafford in Premier League Round 37, wrapping up a lively match with quality chance creation and a late scare. United fired 29 shots and posted 4.19 xG against Forest’s 11 shots and 1.75 xG, according to Sofascore.

Fast start, frantic finish

Luke Shaw opened the scoring in the 6th minute, drilling a left‑footed effort beyond Matz Sels to send Manchester United ahead at the break. Forest hit back on 53 minutes when Morato headed in Elliot Anderson’s cross.

Matheus Cunha restored the lead on 55 minutes, a decision confirmed by VAR moments later. Bruno Fernandes then picked out Bryan Mbeumo for 3-1 in the 76th minute, before Morgan Gibbs-White pulled one back for 3-2 just two minutes later from Anderson’s pass. Eight minutes of added time followed, but United saw it out.

Bruno pulls the strings for United

Bruno Fernandes was the game’s chief creator. The captain delivered 8 key passes, 1 assist and 59 total passes with 48 accurate, earning a Sofascore Rating of 8.6. His teasing cross set up Mbeumo for what proved to be the winner.

Cunha matched the intensity up front. He scored once from 4 shots, posted 0.59 xG, created a big chance and recorded 5 ball recoveries for an 8.4 Sofascore Rating. Shaw’s opener and a busy defensive shift from Lisandro Martínez, who had 11 clearances and 3 blocks, rounded out a productive night for the hosts.

Elliot Anderson drives Forest’s response

For Nottingham Forest, Elliot Anderson produced a standout all‑action display. The midfielder supplied 2 assists, completed 68 of 76 passes, made 9 ball recoveries and 3 tackles, and hit 4 accurate crosses from 5 attempts. He topped Forest’s chart with a 9.2 Sofascore Rating.

Captain Morgan Gibbs-White was a constant threat with 5 shots and a composed left‑footed finish for 3-2. Morato added the earlier equalizer with a firm header. Sels kept Forest in it with 5 saves, including 2 big ones.

By the numbers

– United’s attack clicked: 29 shots, 21 inside the box, 6 big chances and 4.19 xG. They also connected on 44% of crosses and dominated touches in the area 45-24.
– Forest edged possession 51% and duels 54%, but United’s final-third efficiency told.
– Mbeumo was a storyline on his own: 6 shots, 3 big chances missed, hit the woodwork, yet scored the vital third.
– In goal, Senne Lammens made 2 saves and 2 high claims for United, while Sels faced the heavier workload.

As always, you can dive into live momentum, player maps and every Sofascore Rating for the Premier League on Sofascore.