Manchester United came from two goals down to beat ten-man Nottingham Forest on a thrilling afternoon at Old Trafford.
Erik ten Haga’s side looked to shrug off last weekend’s defeat to Tottenham Hotspur but got off to a disastrous start – going two goals down in the space of five minutes.
Taiwo Awoinyi gave the visitors the lead after breaking away from a Man United corner, running 40 yards through on goal before slotting the ball past Andre Onana.
It was dreamland for Steve Cooper’s men as Wily Boly headed home Brennan Johnson’s free-kick to double their lead.
Christian Eriksen poked home Marcus Rashford’s low cross to the half-point before Casemiro somehow turned in Bruno Fernandes’ cross with an open goal.
Casemiro was not to miss again from the same distance in the second half as he headed home Fernandes’ flick-on to equalize for the home side early in the second half.
Forest’s second half went from bad to worse when Joe Worrall was sent off for pulling Fernandes down while he was the last man.
The comeback was completed with 15 minutes remaining when the hosts were awarded a penalty after Danilo brought down Rashford in the area, allowing Fernandes the chance to fire home from 12 yards, which he duly obliged.
A much-needed win for United on a dramatic afternoon in Manchester.
Manchester United player ratings (4-2-3-1)
GK: Andre Onana – 5/10 – Sat himself down for Awoniyi’s goal and looked perplexed by Boly’s header.
RB: Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 6/10 – Lost out to Gibbs-White when Awoniyi scurried through.
CB: Raphael Varane – 5/10 – Was at the back of the defensive pack when Boly headed in. Replaced at half-time.
CB: Lisandro Martinez – 5/10 – Made some good passes into the final third. One of those afternoons where a few goals were needed to snap Martinez into life.
LB: Diogo Dalot – 5/10 – The solution to United’s left-back crisis but struggled with the excellent running of Johnson.
CM: Casemiro – 7/10 – Did little to stop Boly aside from pushing with his arms. Showed more desire to convert from Fernandes’ header to equalise.
CM: Christian Eriksen – 7/10 – Got into the box to convert Rashford’s fizzed cross but couldn’t keep up when Forest broke with pace.
RW: Antony – 6/10 – Made some threatening passes behind the Forest backline. Sometimes frustrating when making the wrong choice but not one of his worst afternoons.
AM: Bruno Fernandes – 8/10 – On the end of a nice free kick to provide Casemiro with his equaliser. Stepped things up in the second half and kept his cool with a slammed penalty.
LW: Marcus Rashford – 8/10 – Went outside Aurier with pace and picked out Eriksen. Great ball back into the mix for Fernandes to tee up Casemiro and won the penalty for the winner. Had a hand in all three goals with a committed display out wide.
ST: Anthony Martial – 5/10 – His one shot was blocked in an ineffective performance from the French forward.
Substitutes
Victor Lindelof (46′ for Varane) – 6/10 – Helped United keep possession with not as much defending in the second half.
Jadon Sancho (60′ for Martial) – 5/10 – Still not able to come on and influence proceedings in the way many expect.
Scott McTominay (85′ for Antony) – N/A
Subs not used: Harry Maguire, Dean Henderson (GK), Facundo Pellistri, Alvaro Fernandez, Daniel Gore, Alejandro Garnacho