Manchester United booked an FA Cup quarter-final with old rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford next month thanks to Casemiro’s 89th-minute winner against Nottingham Forest.
The Brazilian swiftly darted in to redirect Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick into the net, though the goal was confirmed only after a lengthy Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review for a potential offside in the build-up.
In a poignant moment at the venue where he famously secured an FA Cup third-round victory to salvage his managerial position in 1990, Sir Alex Ferguson was seated alongside newly appointed United director Sir Dave Brailsford. Meanwhile, current United manager Erik ten Hag, under pressure, managed to keep alive his sole remaining chance of clinching a trophy in his second season.
Despite the game appearing destined for extra time, the visitors managed to clinch victory, although they squandered several clear-cut opportunities to seize the lead.
Forest, aiming to advance to the quarter-finals for only the second time since 1996, struggled to consistently threaten, with Divock Origi and Taiwo Awoniyi both denied by United goalkeeper Andre Onana.
Ultimately, Casemiro’s fifth goal of the season proved sufficient to secure United’s progression.
However, with Harry Maguire sidelined due to a suspected knee injury, United will need to significantly improve their performance when they face Manchester City on Sunday, especially considering City’s victory over them in last season’s FA Cup final.
“We lost one time in 2024. We are consistent,” Ten Hag told BBC Match of the Day.
“It’s not so easy when you have the whole backline and we have to shuffle and play players in different positions. I’m very proud we did it.
“Every win is important. We take it for 24 hours and then we move on. [We have] fantastic games coming up.”
Antony’s frustrations continue
In his pre-match press conference, Ten Hag raised eyebrows by asserting that Antony was among the fastest players over short distances, supported by statistical evidence.
Making his first start since his impactful performance in the previous round’s victory at Newport, it was initially challenging to perceive how this claim could be substantiated.
However, Antony’s gameplay typically followed a consistent pattern. Operating from the right flank, he would often take a few tentative steps to his right before either cutting inside and traversing the pitch for a short distance or opting to distribute the ball.
Despite these tendencies, Antony’s playing style did not fully justify why Manchester United invested £82 million in him, making him the club’s second most expensive signing after Paul Pogba, at Ten Hag’s insistence just before the summer 2022 transfer deadline.
Antony was unlucky not to score early on when his shot from outside the box struck the crossbar, following a well-executed corner routine, as United launched an early offensive that should have yielded a goal.
Scott McTominay missed a golden opportunity when he headed the ball straight at Forest goalkeeper Matt Turner from close range, while he forced Turner into a fine save with a well-directed header later in the half, courtesy of another delivery from Diogo Dalot.
Antony had another chance on goal in the second half before being substituted for Amad Diallo with 17 minutes remaining, visibly frustrated as he walked off the pitch.
Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford had an off night, epitomized by a wayward shot after a penetrating run into the box, seemingly signaling an impending extra time.
However, to the jubilation of the traveling supporters, Casemiro had different plans, netting his first goal since September and ultimately proving decisive in securing victory for United.
Forest out but bigger challenges ahead
Compared to a relegation fight and a legal battle to avoid a points deduction they can ill afford, a midweek FA Cup fifth-round tie was very much third on the list of priorities for Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, who watched on from his seat in the directors’ box.
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo presided over a home victory over Manchester United in his early honeymoon period after replacing Steve Cooper.
Since then, two of their three victories came in FA Cup replays against lower league Blackpool and Bristol City and, worryingly, the venom appears to have gone out of their play.
Morgan Gibbs-White’s best opportunity, when he forced a superb save out of Onana, turned out to be offside anyway. Origi worked hard but has never been the most reliable finisher, while Awoniyi wasn’t his usual threat.
Once the weekend encounter at home to Liverpool is out of the way, Forest have a run of winnable fixtures that may determine their fate.
However, before that, at the beginning of next week, their legal battle begins to avoid a points deduction for breaking Premier League spending rules. The outcome of that could be pivotal to their top-flight survival fight.