MANCHESTER United defeated Nottingham Forest 3-2 in a thrilling clash at Old Trafford today to confirm they will finish in the third position in the English Premier League.
Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi was a second-half substitute for Forest, while his fellow Nigeria international Ola Aina missed out through injury.
Bruno Fernandes equalled the Premier League record for assists in a season during the entertaining five-goal encounter with Nottingham Forest.
Fernandes’ cross from the right was turned home by Bryan Mbeumo to make it 3-1, taking the United captain level with Thierry Henry and Kevin de Bruyne on 20 assists – with one game of the season remaining.
On a day when Casemiro received a standing ovation on his Old Trafford farewell nine minutes from time, United got the result they needed to secure third place under Michael Carrick, who is still to be officially confirmed as permanent boss.
Fernandes’ achievement at least took some of the headlines away from yet another contentious VAR incident.
Forest had only just cancelled out Luke Shaw’s fifth-minute opener, through Morato’s header, when Diogo Dalot crossed for Mbeumo.
The Cameroon forward appeared to control the ball between his upper arm and his side before having his shot deflected into the path of Matheus Cunha, who applied the first-time finish.
Referee Michael Salisbury gave the goal but, rather than rule it out as expected after being sent to the screen by VAR Matthew Donohue, after numerous checks and to a cacophony of boos from both sets of fans over the time taken to reach a decision – he confirmed his initial decision, as the ball had deflected off Mbeumo’s hip.
Morgan Gibbs-White scored a second for Forest 12 minutes from time but the visitors were unable to force an equaliser.
Forest, who have already escaped relegation, are 16th in the table.
With agency report
