Manchester United got themselves out of jail as they saw off Nottingham Forest 3-2 at Old Trafford.
Looking to rebound from the defeat at Tottenham, Erik Ten Hag saw his side go 2-0 down inside four shocking opening minutes.
In another unconvincing display United rebounded though, aided by a red card for Forest’s Joe Worall.
The hosts made a disastrous start. Forest cleared a Bruno Fernandes corner and with Marcus Rashford and Antony somehow the last two players back, Taiwo Awoniyi slotted past Andre Onana with just 90 seconds on the clock having been given the freedom to run 50 yards on goal.
It was then two inside four minutes. Diogo Dalot conceded the foul on the right and Morgan Gibbs-White’s centre was headed home by an unmarked Willy Boly.
United settled themselves and hit back on 17 minutes. Marcus Rashford, playing from the left, squared for Christian Eriksen to score from close range.
Casemiro then missed an absolute sitter to make it 2-2 on 25 minutes as United controlled more of the play for the rest of the opening half.
They continued to look vulnerable though with Brennan Johnson nearly extending Forest’s advantage again only for his goal-bound shot to hit his own man in Awoniyi.
United levelled things up however seven minutes into the second half. Bruno Fernandes and Rashford exchanged passes in an elaborate free-kick routine before the former squared for Casemiro who couldn’t miss from close range a second time.
Forest went down to 10 at the mid-point of the second half when Joe Worrall was adjudged to have brought down Fernandes as he went through on goal.
It was the skipper who put United in front 15 minutes from time, converting from the spot after Rashford had been fouled by Danilo as he broke into the area.
Andre Onana produced one sharp save late on as Forest threatened a leveller on another unconvincing afternoon at Old Trafford.
1. Andre Onana 5
Collapsed in the face of Taiwo Awoniyi for the opening goal after being horribly exposed. In reality, after a mad opening had very little to do.
2. Aaron Wan-Bissaka 6
Nearly saw a deflected cross end up in the back of the net after some good skill. Stuck to his task pretty well on a day where United’s backline didn’t cover themselves in glory.
3. Raphael Varane 5 (off HT)
Produced some good covering challenges when United were exposed but had a tough 45 minutes before being taken off.
4. Lisandro Martinez 5
All at sea at times - especially against the physical Awomiyi. Saw plenty of the ball when Forest sat but often exposed going the other way.