Manchester United 3-2 Nottingham Forest: Match Report & Analysis
Manchester United closed out their home season with a 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford on Sunday, May 17, 2026 β a result that confirmed third place in the Premier League table and capped a remarkable turnaround under head coach Michael Carrick. It was also a personally significant afternoon for Bruno Fernandes, who equalled the Premier League’s single-season assist record.
The fixture carried extra weight because of what happened the last time these two sides met. Forest completed a league double over United during the 2024-25 season β their first since the Brian Clough era β beating United 3-2 at Old Trafford in December 2024 before winning 1-0 at the City Ground the following April, with Anthony Elanga scoring against his former club. This time, United got their revenge, in another five-goal thriller.
How the match unfolded
United made the perfect start. Luke Shaw picked up a half-cleared cross and drilled a low shot into the bottom corner β his first goal since January 2023 β after Forest failed to properly clear their lines. It was a rare moment of real quality during an otherwise scrappy opening period.
Forest responded through Morato, who headed home a cross from Elliot Anderson to level the score. From there, the game opened up. United had the better of the chances without adding to their tally immediately β Bryan Mbeumo struck the post after rounding goalkeeper Matz Sels, with Casemiro, playing his final match at Old Trafford before departing the club, prodding the follow-up narrowly wide.
Forest edged back in front through Morgan Gibbs-White, before Mbeumo got his goal in the second half to make it 2-2, and Fernandes then teed up the eventual winner β his 20th assist of the season, matching the Premier League record held jointly by Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry.
What the result means
For United, the win confirmed a third-place finish and a return to the Champions League β a significant turnaround given the club appointed Michael Carrick as head coach in mid-January 2026, following Ruben Amorim’s departure. The club also confirmed on the day that Carrick would stay on as permanent head coach going into next season.
For Forest, the result didn’t change their bigger picture β they’d already secured their focus for the run-in around consolidating their Premier League status rather than European qualification, but a performance that produced two goals away at a top-four side is a reasonable marker heading into the summer.
Fernandes’ record-equalling season
Bruno Fernandes turned down interest from Saudi Arabia the previous summer to stay at Old Trafford, and this season became the clearest justification for that decision. His assist for Mbeumo’s goal brought him level with De Bruyne and Henry’s record of 20 assists in a single Premier League season, and he was named the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year for his overall contribution to United’s revival.
Head-to-head context
Manchester United remain well ahead of Nottingham Forest in the all-time head-to-head record between the two clubs across all competitions, though Forest’s double over United last season was a reminder that recent history can matter more than overall history on any given weekend. This latest meeting split the difference β a genuinely competitive, back-and-forth match between two sides who, on the balance of this season, ended up in very different parts of the table.
FAQs
Who won Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest on May 17, 2026?
Manchester United won 3-2 at Old Trafford, with goals from Luke Shaw, Bryan Mbeumo, and a late winner assisted by Bruno Fernandes.
Did Nottingham Forest complete a double over Manchester United this season?
No β that happened the previous season (2024-25). This meeting was United’s win, ending Forest’s recent run of success in the fixture.
What record did Bruno Fernandes equal in this match?
His assist for Mbeumo’s goal brought him to 20 assists for the season, matching the Premier League single-season record shared by Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry.
Was this Casemiro’s last match for Manchester United at Old Trafford?
Yes β this was reported as his final home appearance for the club before his departure.
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