Carrick learns essential lesson as Man Utd declare controversial win on record-breaking day

Manchester United confirmed third place in the Premier League in controversial fashion as Michael Carrick’s side enjoyed a five-goal thriller against Nottingham Forest

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A chaotic game at Old Trafford saw Manchester United confirm a third place finish in the Premier League in controversial fashion, but also with a win that should have been so much more comfortable than 3-2.

The five-goal thriller saw Bryan Mbeumo net the winning goal from Bruno Fernandes’ assist. However, the action started just six minutes in when Luke Shaw opened the scoring. Forest hit back through Morato before Cunha reinstated the lead after VAR controversy.

Bruno Fernandes also enjoyed a record-equalling day as he levelled the all-time Premier League assist record in a season with his 20th of the campaign. The captain’s moment came after Matheus Cunha had put United back in front in controversial style when Mbeumo controlled the ball between his arm and chest.

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Reaction to the decision on commentary, Gary Neville slammed: “I think that is an absolute shocker in every single way. It’s ridiculous. The VAR have been quite clear, they said it has been disallowed, he has handballed it and brought the ball back into play. I can’t believe what I have just seen to be honest.

“VAR looked at it for three minutes and then the referee looks at it for another minute. They are overthinking it. They have got themselves into a real mess there.”

On a day that had the distinct feeling of an end-of-season clash between two teams who had succeeded in their pre-season objectives, with United having already secured a return to the Champions League and on the verge of confirming a third place finish. While Forest’s recent form had alleviated their relegation concerns in a campaign where they reached the Europa League semi-final before falling to defeat against Aston Villa.

Casemiro was serenaded by the Stretford End as he emotionally emerged from the tunnel as he held back the tears having heard the fans sing his name and unveiled a banner to him on his final game for United at Old Trafford before he leaves in the summer.

And ‘shoot’ was the word of the day among United fans as supporters urged Casemiro to cap his farewell game with a goal, while Bruno Fernandes continued to chase the Premier League assist record, with every player the captain passed to urged to take on an effort at goal. Fernandes started the game with 19 assists, one behind the record set by Thierry Henry and matched by Kevin De Bruyne, but he eventually drew level thanks to Mbeumo’s goal. Although he certainly should have racked up more on a day that saw United be wasteful in front of goal.

But it was an unlikely goalscorer who broke the deadlock after six minutes when Luke Shaw scored his first goal since January 2023. The 30-year-old has enjoyed an injury free season and is the only United player to start every game – a record that no one would have believed at the beginning for the season given his history past. A credit to his performances and hard work that still keep him in contention of being named in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad.

Fernandes’ cross into the box was headed away up into the air but only as far as Shaw, who brought the ball down before firing a technically brilliant left foot half-volley into the far bottom a corner. While FPL very generously awarded the assist to the Portuguese, there is no chance the Premier League will do the same.

United should have doubled their lead when Bryan Mbeumo rounded Matz Sels but hit the post from a swift counter-attack. It was a first half that was open but lacked the cut and thrust, unsurprising given the position both teams are in. Mbeumo’s complete collapse of form in front of goal saw him slice over an effort from inside the six-yard box just one minutes into the second half. He then wasted a golden one-on-one chance to deliver Fernandes’ record-matching assist midway through the second half.

Red Devils fans also had one eye on Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson with the England international heavily linked with a blockbuster move to Old Trafford this summer as Casemiro’s replacement. The Brazilian did leave the pitch with 10 minutes to play to an emotional reception, but it was a day that his ideal successor starred.

Speaking about his fellow Wallsend Boys Club graduate, Carrick said in his press conference on Friday: “Yeah, he’s done well. I think he’s a big part of their team,” said Carrick. “I think he offers so much and they’ve got a really talented team and dangerous team.

“So they’ve had a good season to get to the [Europa League] semi-finals and just fall short. But yeah, you can see obviously he is important part of their team.”

Anderson was arguably the best player on the pitch in the first half with his tidy work in possession and his ability to break forward at pace looking as though he would seamlessly slot into Carrick’s system alongside Kobbie Mainoo if United can win the race for his signature. Anderson then provided the assist for Gibbs-White’s goal as he put on a real show at Old Trafford.

The 23-year-old then showed his excellence on the ball when he rolled Amad Diallo and provided the cross that was perfectly on the money for Morato to head home his first goal for Forest and level the game.

United struck back almost immediately when Cunha tucked the ball home calmly, but Mbeumo had handled the ball in the build-up after controlling the ball between his chest and upper arm. However, the decision was deemed accidental and adjudged to have hit the Cameroonian’s body first – a decision that confused almost everyone who saw it.

The hosts pressed for a fourth but a brilliant finish from Morgan Gibbs-White halved the deficit again when he turned home a neat finish into the far corner and set up an open final 10 minutes but were unable to create a clear-cut chance to salvage a point.

Forest continued to make the final moments nervous as United also saw good openings pass them by, including a chance that saw Dalot hit the post in what would have been Fernandes’ 21st assist of the season. Joshua Zirkzee also failed to land the Portuguese his landmark assist.