Nottingham Forest continued their remarkable season with a crucial 1-0 victory over Manchester United at the City Ground on April 1, 2025. Anthony Elanga, the former United winger, scored the only goal of the game in the fifth minute, securing all three points for Forest and boosting their chances of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League next season.
This win completes a historic league double for Forest over Manchester United, something they hadn’t achieved since the legendary Brian Clough era. It also keeps them firmly in the race for a top-four finish, sitting in third place in the Premier League standings with just eight games remaining.
Elanga Haunts Former Club with Early Strike
The decisive moment of the match came almost immediately after kickoff. Manchester United had won an early corner, but Forest quickly turned defense into attack. A clearance landed at Elanga’s feet, and the Swedish international sprinted the length of the pitch—covering nearly 85 meters in nine seconds—before slotting the ball past Andre Onana.
Elanga, who left Manchester United last summer after struggling for regular playing time, chose not to celebrate against his former club but couldn’t hide his delight in delivering a crucial goal for his current team. The early strike set the tone for a game in which Nottingham Forest defended resolutely and frustrated United’s attempts to find a breakthrough.
Historic Double Over Manchester United
With this result, Nottingham Forest has now beaten Manchester United both home and away this season, marking their first league double over the Red Devils since 1994. Forest won 2-1 at Old Trafford earlier in the campaign, and their latest triumph further cements their growing reputation as one of the Premier League’s most improved teams.
Manager Nuno Espírito Santo was full of praise for his squad after the match. “It was a fantastic performance from the whole team. We knew United would have spells of possession, but we defended well, stayed organized, and took our opportunity when it came. I’m very proud of the boys.”
The victory moves Forest up to third place in the Premier League table with 57 points from 29 matches. They now sit eight points ahead of fourth-placed Chelsea and nine points clear of fifth-placed Manchester City, both of whom have a game in hand. If they maintain this form, Champions League football at the City Ground next season is becoming a real possibility.
What’s Next?
For Nottingham Forest, this victory adds further momentum to their incredible campaign. With only eight games remaining, they are firmly in the driver’s seat for a top-four finish. Their upcoming fixtures include matches against mid-table teams, offering them a real shot at securing Champions League qualification.
For Manchester United, however, things are looking bleak. They will need a dramatic turnaround in form if they want to salvage anything from this season. Their next match is against Brighton, a team that has also been pushing for European football, and another defeat could pile even more pressure on Ten Hag and his squad.
With the Premier League season entering its final stretch, every game counts. For Nottingham Forest, the dream of Champions League football is alive and well. For Manchester United, the nightmare of a wasted season continues.
