Nottingham Forest took another significant step towards Champions League qualification as Anthony Elanga’s brilliant solo effort secured a 1-0 victory over Manchester United on Tuesday.
Elanga, facing his former club, produced a dazzling run that spanned more than half the pitch before delivering a composed finish to seal the win.
The 22-year-old Swedish winger was sold by United for £15 million in 2023 after being deemed surplus to requirements under then-manager Erik ten Hag.
Forest have capitalized on that decision, with Elanga’s spectacular strike at the City Ground reinforcing their hold on third place in the Premier League.
Now sitting eight points clear of fourth-placed Chelsea, who take on Tottenham on Thursday, Forest are closing in on their first Champions League qualification since the 1980-81 season.
Their remarkable campaign comes just a year after narrowly avoiding relegation, and they have also reached the FA Cup semifinals for the first time in 34 years.
Despite a grueling FA Cup quarterfinal against Brighton on Saturday—where they progressed on penalties after extra time—manager Nuno Espirito Santo insisted Forest would not use fatigue as an excuse against United.
Even without leading scorer Chris Wood and winger Callum Hudson-Odoi, Forest rose to the challenge.
Their victory secured their first league double over United since the 1991-92 season, marking the first time they have avoided defeat in both league meetings with the Old Trafford side since finishing third in 1994-95.
Meanwhile, United’s loss ended an eight-match unbeaten run in all competitions and extended their frustrating league form, as they have yet to win back-to-back Premier League games this season.
They had beaten Leicester in their final match before the international break—following a dominant 4-1 Europa League win over Real Sociedad—but struggled once again under Ruben Amorim. The defeat leaves United languishing in 13th place ahead of Sunday’s derby against Manchester City.
In front of a raucous crowd by the River Trent, Elanga set the stadium alight with his stunning strike in just the fifth minute.
After United failed to capitalize on a corner, the Forest winger picked up possession deep inside his own half and launched an electrifying counterattack, covering 85 meters in just nine seconds.
With United’s undermanned defense backing off, Elanga shrugged off Alejandro Garnacho’s challenge, surged to the edge of the penalty area, and rifled a precise low shot past Andre Onana.
Among Premier League teams, only struggling Leicester have conceded the opening goal more frequently than United this season.
United nearly responded immediately through Bruno Fernandes, whose header from Diogo Dalot’s pinpoint cross was comfortably saved by Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels.
Casemiro then squandered an even clearer chance, heading wide from a Fernandes corner, while Dalot struck the crossbar with a looping header, leading to a rebound effort from Matthijs de Ligt that Sels also kept out.
At halftime, Amorim introduced Rasmus Højlund, but the under-fire striker failed to make an impact.
Garnacho looked more dangerous, curling a long-range effort just over before firing a powerful 25-yard strike past the post.
Making his first United appearance of 2025, the injury-plagued Mason Mount narrowly missed the target, while Harry Maguire saw his close-range attempt cleared off the line by Murillo.
Forest’s resolute defense held firm, ensuring yet another memorable moment in their dream season as they edge ever closer to European football’s grandest stage.
