Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest player ratings — Fernandes equals Premier League assist record

Manchester United secured a 3-2 Premier League victory over Nottingham Forest in its ​final home game of a resurgent season on Sunday, with the club on ‌the cusp of confirming Michael Carrick as its permanent manager.

Luke ​Shaw, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo scored, while captain ⁠Bruno Fernandes equalled the league record for assists in a season with his 20th, as United stayed third on 68 points with one game remaining after ‌Carrick’s eighth win in nine games at Old Trafford.

Forest sits 16th on 43 points.

Defender Shaw opened the scoring in the ‌fifth minute after a loose clearance fell kindly, drilling his ‌finish ⁠into the bottom corner for his first league goal in ⁠more than three years.

Morato levelled with his first goal for Forest in the 53rd minute, heading home from close range.

Cunha restored United’s lead two minutes later with an effort ​that stood following a lengthy ‌VAR check for a possible Mbeumo handball in the build-up.

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Mbeumo, who had squandered several terrific chances earlier in the game, finally found the back of the net in the 76th minute with a ‌composed finish from Fernandes’ cross, but Morgan Gibbs-White pulled one ​back soon after to ensure a nervy finale.

Fernandes equalled the assist record shared by Thierry Henry and Kevin De ⁠Bruyne.

The game marked a fond farewell for Casemiro after four seasons, and the fans gave the Brazil midfielder a standing ovation when he was ‌subbed off in the 80th minute.

Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest players rating:

Manchester United: Senne Lammens (6.8), Diogo Dalot (7.8), Harry Maguire (7.6), Lisandro Martínez (7.3), Luke Shaw (7.2), Casemiro (6.3), Kobbie Mainoo (7.0), Amad Diallo (6.8), Bruno Fernandes (8.3), Matheus Cunha (8.4), Bryan Mbeu (8.4), Mbeu (8.4).

Subs: Patrick Dorgu (6.4), Joshua Zirkzee (6.2)

Nottingham Forest: Matz Sels (6.2), Neco Williams (6.3), Nikola Milenkovic (6.0), Morato (6.7), Luca Netz (5.2), Omari Hutchinson (6.6), Elliot Anderson (8.9), Nicolas Domínguez (7.4), Morgan Gibbs-White (8.1), Igor Jesus (6.4), Chris Wood (6.3)

Subs: Ibrahim Sangaré (6.9), Dilane Bakwa (6.3), Taiwo Awoniyi (6.1).

Fight for European places

While United will return to European competition next season after missing out this campaign, several clubs trying to join it missed an opportunity on Sunday.

Brighton and Hove Albion lost 1-0 at Leeds United, Everton went down 3-1 at home to Sunderland, Brentford, bidding to play in Europe for the first time, drew 2-2 at home with Crystal Palace thanks to a brace from Dango Ouattara, while Fulham drew 1-1 at bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Brighton remained seventh with 53 points, with Brentford a point behind in eighth. Sunderland moved up to ninth with 51 points and still has a chance of European qualification in its first season back in the top flight. Everton’s hopes now look slim, with the club 11th on 49 points.

Eighth place will earn a spot in the UEFA Conference League this season.

Published on May 17, 2026