Nottingham Forest 2-1 Manchester United LIVE REACTION: Hosts deal out yet another defeat for Red Devils to move five points clear of drop zone

Nottingham Forest 2-1 Man United - REACTION

Right, that's it from us as Nottingham Forest inflict more pain on Man United.

It was another poor result and poor performance from the Red Devils, who are slipping out of the top-four race.

We hope you enjoyed the coverage and have a great new year.

We will see you all on New Year's Day for Liverpool vs Newcastle.

But in the meantime, head over to talkSPORT.com for more reaction.

Nuno delighted with win and progress

Nuno Espirito Santo made it back-to-back Premier League wins, and he's buzzing.

Speaking to the press after the game, he said: "We have been here 11 days and the players are fighting and working.

"I thought it was a good performance. We started well and managed the tempo. We controlled Man United and didn't allow them spaces.

"We deserved the win because we went for it in the second half."

Nottingham Forest 2-1 Man United - REACTION

• Nottingham Forest have won consecutive Premier League games for the first time since January. Indeed, they’d won just one of their previous 14 before this.
• This result ended Manchester United’s 11-game winning run against Nottingham Forest in all competitions, while it’s the first time they’ve lost their final Premier League game in a calendar year since 2011 (2-3 v Blackburn Rovers).
• Manchester United have lost as many as nine of their opening 20 league games to a season for the first time since 1989-90. Indeed, their nine defeats so far this term is as many as they suffered in the whole of 2022-23.

Ten Hag reflects on another defeat

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has been speaking to the press about his side's defeat to Nottingham Forest.

He said: "First-half performance was not okay. We should have created more.

"The second half, I thought was better, but bad moments to concede goals.

"Then we got level, and in that moment, the game was ours. We went to make it 2-1 and conceded on the counter.

"We had chances at the end of the game, but it wasn't good enough to win it."

However, he thinks things will improve.

"Many players will return in the new year and those players will absolutely strengthen the team and the squad."

Final match statistics

Andre Onana didn't have a save to make, but he ended up picking the ball out of the net twice.

Top display from Gibbs-White

In a game that often lacked quality, Morgan Gibbs-White popped up with a crucial moment to win the game for his side.

He wasn't exactly everywhere, but he was drifting from side to side and doing all he could to create opportunities for his side.

Morgan Gibbs-White reflects on huge result

Nottingham Forest goalscorer Morgan Gibbs-White has been speaking to Sky Sports about the 2-1 win over Man United, and he allayed any injury fears.

He said: "I got a dead leg, but I will be fine.

"It's been a busy Christmas period, so to get one of those at the end of the game wasn't nice, but we've got to continue.

"This win puts us in such a good position going forward, so to pick up the points we did against the teams we played against - I think the boys have been incredible.

"Credit to the manager for sticking to his game plan and helping us get the win out here today."

Terrible stats

Man United fans, you might want to look away now.

• Manchester United have lost 21 games in all competitions in 2023 – only in 1930 (28), 1972 (25) and 1921 (24) have they ever lost more in a calendar year.
• Manchester United lose five games in December for the first time since 1933.
• Nottingham Forest's win over Man United was their first home victory against the Red Devils in their Premier League history

Joy and misery

Here is how things stand

So, Forest are now five points clear of the drop zone and are in 15th.

Meanwhile, Man United are seventh, with plenty of clubs close to passing them.

Nottingham Forest 2-1 Man United

90+' - Garnacho runs down the left, Williams blocks his tackle and wins a foul, which frustrates the winger who storms off.

Nottingham Forest 2-1 Man United

90+' - Amad takes on his man and drives into the box.

He rifles in a shot that Turner saves at the near post.

Nottingham Forest 2-1 Man United

90+' - That resulting corner comes to nothing and then Rashford is offside and time is slowly running out for the visitors.

Nottingham Forest 2-1 Man United

90+' - Eriksen chips the ball to the edge of the box for Fernandes.

He rattles in a volley that deflects off Murillo and Turner tips it over the bar.

Nottingham Forest 2-1 Man United

90+' - Big handball appeals from the Man United fans behind the goal.

Eriksen's cross comes over the top of two players and strikes him, but VAR quickly waves it on.

Meanwhile, Gibbs-White is good to carry on.

Nottingham Forest 2-1 Man United

90+' - Stoppage in play because Gibbs-White is down with what looks to be a head injury.

Nottingham Forest 2-1 Man United

90+' - Ten minutes of added time indicated, which goes down like a lead balloon.

Nottingham Forest 2-1 Man United

89' - Last throw of the dice from Ten Hag as Reguilon replaces Wan-Bissaka.

Look at the whip

Nottingham Forest 2-1 Man United

88' - From that free-kick, Evans flicks Eriksen's ball out, but the referee awards a corner!

Eriksen takes it and delivers a useless ball into Turner's arms.

Nottingham Forest 2-1 Man United

87' - The free-kick comes to nothing and Man United win one of their own as Mangala stops a counter-attack illegally.

Nottingham Forest 2-1 Man United

85' - Garnacho goes into the book for a trip as Boly comes on for Elanga and Aina replaces Mangala.

Nottingham Forest 1-1 Man United

80' - Dominguez comes off for Hudson-Odoi as the hosts look to bounce back from that setback.