Elanga’s Spectacular Solo Goal Sinks Man United as Forest Edge Closer to Champions League
Nottingham Forest took a major step toward Champions League qualification as Anthony Elanga’s stunning solo effort secured a 1-0 victory over Manchester United on Tuesday.
Elanga, facing his former club, delivered a dazzling moment of individual brilliance, sprinting more than half the length of the pitch before applying a clinical finish. The 22-year-old Swedish winger was offloaded by United in 2023 for £15 million ($19 million) after being deemed surplus to requirements by then-manager Erik ten Hag—a decision that now looks increasingly costly.
Since his move, Elanga has flourished at Forest, and his match-winning strike at the City Ground helped Nuno Espírito Santo’s side tighten their grip on third place in the Premier League table.
With eight games remaining, Forest sit eight points clear of fourth-placed Chelsea, who face Tottenham on Thursday. If they maintain this position, they will qualify for the Champions League for the first time since the 1980-81 season—a remarkable achievement given they were fighting to avoid relegation just a year ago.
Adding to their fairytale campaign, Forest have also reached the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in 34 years.
Forest’s Historic Double Over United
Despite their grueling FA Cup quarter-final against Brighton on Saturday, which ended in a dramatic penalty shootout victory, Forest showed no signs of fatigue. Missing key players Chris Wood and Callum Hudson-Odoi, they still rose to the challenge and made history by completing their first league double over United since the 1991-92 season.
The last time Forest managed to go unbeaten against United in a single league campaign was in 1994-95, the same season they finished third in the Premier League.
United’s Inconsistencies Continue
For Manchester United, this defeat marked their first loss in eight matches across all competitions. However, their league struggles persist—remarkably, they have yet to win back-to-back Premier League games this season.
United had secured a 2-0 victory at Leicester in their final match before the international break, following an impressive 4-1 win against Real Sociedad in the Europa League. But their erratic form under Ruben Amorim resurfaced, leaving them stuck in 13th place ahead of Sunday’s daunting clash with Manchester City.
Elanga’s Early Stunner Sets the Tone
In front of a raucous crowd by the River Trent, Elanga ignited the atmosphere with his breathtaking goal just five minutes into the match.
After United failed to capitalize on a corner, Elanga pounced on the loose ball deep inside his own half and launched a blistering counterattack. Covering 85 meters in just nine seconds, he left United’s retreating defense scrambling.
Despite a last-ditch tackle attempt from Alejandro Garnacho, Elanga powered forward to the edge of the penalty area before slotting a composed low finish past Andre Onana.
United’s defensive frailties were once again exposed—only struggling Leicester have conceded the opening goal more frequently than them this season.
Missed Chances Haunt United
United nearly found an immediate equalizer when Bruno Fernandes met Diogo Dalot’s pinpoint cross with a firm header, but his effort was directed straight at Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels.
Casemiro then squandered an even better opportunity, nodding wide from a Fernandes corner. Dalot came closest to leveling the score when his looping header struck the crossbar, and Matthijs de Ligt’s attempt from the rebound was superbly saved by Sels.
Seeking a breakthrough, Amorim introduced Rasmus Højlund at halftime, but the much-maligned striker struggled to make an impact. Instead, Garnacho looked the most threatening, firing just over from long range before drilling a powerful 25-yard strike narrowly past the post.
Mason Mount, making his first appearance of 2025 following a long injury layoff, came close with a shot that whistled wide. In stoppage time, Harry Maguire had United’s final chance, but his close-range effort was heroically cleared off the line by Murillo, sealing Forest’s famous victory.
As the final whistle blew, Forest celebrated yet another milestone in their dream season—one that is rapidly transforming from an underdog story into a genuine push for European football’s biggest stage.
