Michael Carrick continued to strengthen his case to be the next permanent manager of Manchester United as he guided his side to a 3-2 win at home to Forest.
Carrick’s side were aided by a contentious second goal but were good value for the win as Bruno Fernandes picked up a record-equalling 20th assist of the Premier League season in an entertaining match.
Luke Shaw opened the scoring with a rare goal before Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo struck in the second half.
Forest twice responded through Morato and captain Morgan Gibbs-White but never truly looked like emerging with a point.
Carrick has won 11 of 16 games since replacing Ruben Amorim and has delivered Champions League football for next season and now looks set to be given the chance to impress on a two or three-year deal.
Casemiro said goodbye to Old Trafford with an emotional farewell.
The 34-year-old departs this summer and after some costly errors early in his lucrative stay has showed enough in recent times to push him out of the flop category and into an astute signing.
Shaw’s superbly-taken goal was his first since January 2023. A cross from the right was not dealt with by the Forest defence and the England man took a touch before smashing a low shot across Matz Sels
Gibbs-White then should have equalised but was denied by a fine save from Senne Lammens, with United breaking instantly and Mbeumo hitting the post after going round Sels.
Mbeumo wasted another great chance at the start of the second half as his drought went on.
Elliot Anderson then whipped in a sensational cross which was headed in by Morato for his first Premier League goal.
Two minutes later Cunha steered in after Mbeumo had a shot blocked but the ball hit the Cameroon man on the arm before falling at the feet of the Brazilian.
‘That’s a shocker’
A VAR review called for referee Michael Salisbury to check the decision on the monitor and after a long debate the goal was allowed to stand.
“Honestly, that’s ridiculous,” said former United captain Gary Neville on Sky Sports. “I can’t believe what I have seen. That is handball. That’s a shocker.
“VAR has looked at it for three minutes and the referee has for another minute. They are overthinking it.”
Mbeumo then fired over again after fine play from Fernandes before the two combined for the third goal. Fernandes’ low cross from the right was perfect and Mbeumo was able to steer in.
Fernandes has now equalled the record for most assists in a Premier League season (20), levelling Thierry Henry in 2002-03 and Kevin De Bruyne in 2019-20.
Gibbs-White – back in the fold after a facial injury – then made it 3-2 with a brilliant low finish but United held on to take the points.
