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.
5. Diogo Dalot 4
Given the nod at left-back but didn’t cover himself in glory in place of Luke Shaw. | Getty
6. Casemiro 5
Stood standing as Willy Boly headed in Forest’s second unmarked and then missed an absolute sitter to make it 2-2 in the first half. Couldn’t miss a second time after the interval when he improved. | Getty
7. Christian Eriksen 6
In for the injured Mason Mount and scored a tidy goal with the outside of his right foot but in reality didn’t have much of an impact on the game. | Getty
8. Bruno Fernandes 7
Did more than anyone to try and get United back in the game - his elaborate free-kick routine with Rashford setting up the second goal before he scored from the spot. | Getty