(Credit: Imago)

Ciaran Morrison

Sun 17 May 2026 15:14, UK

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Manchester United beat Nottingham Forest 3-2 to extend their unbeaten run to five Premier League games.

Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe watched on from the stands as Michael Carrick looks set to earn the Man United job on a permanent basis.

It was the perfect start for Carrick as Luke Shaw drilled home a low effort after five minutes, with the visitors unable to deal with Bruno Fernandes’ high cross into the penalty area.

Morato headed home his first goal for Nottingham Forest in the second half, but it was positive response from the hosts when Matheus Cunha restored their advantage and Bryan Mbeumo added a late third.

Despite Morgan Gibbs-White’s well-placed finish to reduce the deficit, Man United held on to secure a top three Premier League finish.

Luke Shaw sends message to Michael Carrick

As sources told Football Insider Man United hold interest in West Ham left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf ahead of the summer window, whilst it was previously revealed that the Red Devils would pursue Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Those links have cast doubts over Shaw’s future in the Man United team, with the 30-year-old having also suffered his share of injury problems at Old Trafford.

Against Nottingham Forest though Shaw showed Carrick that he still has plenty to offer in the full-back role in defence, and going forward.

It wasn’t just his well-taken goal, but Shaw kept Omari Hutchinson quiet down the flank, as Carrick’s side are starting to feel the benefits of consistent team selection.

Bryan Mbeumo ends goalscoring drought

Despite a bright start to his Man United career, Mbeumo is ending the season in the opposite fashion, with the 26-year-old struggling to find the back of the net.

Mbeumo missed three golden chances against Nottingham Forest to score, leaving Man United fans frustrated until he found the back of the net in the 76th minute.

The forward hit the post after rounding goalkeeper Matz Sels, and fired over inside the penalty area after latching onto Amad Diallo’s low cross.

He then failed to hit the target when he broke through on goal and only had Sels to beat, as it looked like Mbeumo was not going to score.

Mbeumo was at the centre of the controversy for what looked like a handball before Cunha passed home Man United’s second goal, but he got his reward when he stuck out a leg and converted Fernandes’ cross to find the back of the net for the first time since February.

Man United player ratings vs Nottingham Forest

• Senne Lammens – 7
• Diogo Dalot – 6
• Harry Maguire – 6
• Lisandro Martinez – 6
• Luke Shaw – 7
• Casemiro – 6
• Kobbie Mainoo – 7
• Amad Diallo – 4
• Bruno Fernandes – 7
• Matheus Cunha – 8
• Bryan Mbeumo – 5

Substitutes

• Joshua Zirkzee (On for Mbeumo 80′) – 5
• Patrick Dorgu (On for Cunha 80′) – 6
• Mason Mount (On for Casemiro 80) -5