On a day when Casemiro bid an emotional farewell to Old Trafford, Nottingham Forest’s own talismanic midfielder, Elliot Anderson, delivered yet another outstanding display that underlined exactly why he will be equally missed if he leaves the City Ground.
Anderson chose the perfect stage on which to deliver two delightful assists, even if it is expected that — if he does indeed move this summer — it’s more likely to be to the other side of Manchester, to join United’s neighbours City, than be back here as Casemiro’s successor.
His two crosses — firstly for Morato to head home for 1-1 early in the second half and then for Morgan Gibbs-White to guide in a breathtaking finish to cut the deficit to 3-2 with 12 minutes of the 90 left — were equally delicious in nature.
And it was another dynamic, destructive and progressive midfield display from Anderson, on a day when it was meant to be Casimero, who is leaving United at the end of his contract this summer after four years, who took the spotlight.
There was a moment when Anderson stole the ball off the toes of Bruno Fernandes and then confidently skipped his way beyond Casemiro, as if to underline his own growing status in the top flight. It was a performance that will only have added a little more to the 23-year-old England international’s potential price tag, with Forest understood to want something well beyond the £100million ($133m) mark on the table if they are to be persuaded to do business.
“He has the talent to be one of the top of the top, you understand?” said Forest head coach Vitor Pereira in his pre-game press conference. “He is young. For sure, he will fly with very big wings.”
It is reluctantly accepted at Forest that somebody — probably City, although United retain a strong interest — will come up with the level of offer that will give them serious food for thought in the coming weeks. But the City Ground decision-makers do have a plan for the future, and it involves building on what they’ve already got.
As the final whistle blew on Sunday’s 3-2 home win, United fans were able to contemplate a future under Michael Carrick, who is expected to be confirmed as full-time head coach in the coming days after impressing in an interim role since January. But as opposite number Pereira thanked those who had travelled across from Nottingham on the pitch with his players, he was also armed with the security of being able to plan for the longer-term future, too.
In the past few days, Forest have been quick to play down any suggestions that their hierarchy were keen for a reunion with Fulham’s Marco Silva, who had previously worked under the Evangelos Marinakis regime at Greek side Olympiacos.
There is no appetite for further change after this four-manager season and, as previously reported by The Athletic, they plan to offer Pereira, who also steered Wolverhampton Wanderers to Premier League safety last year after being hired mid-campaign, an extension to the 18-month contract he signed on arrival in February.
Pereira has inspired a precious sense of calm and unity — the kind of atmosphere that had been absent from the club during the short and tumultuous tenures of the two new men who came before him this season: Ange Postecoglou and Sean Dyche.
Now, following all the chaos this club has gone through since August, there might just be some much-needed stability on the horizon. The players like Pereira and trust the ethos he has instilled in them. And the desire to build on what they have got stretches beyond the future of their head coach.
Whatever happens with Anderson, Forest don’t intend to sell any of their other biggest on-field assets in the looming transfer window.
Gibbs-White is ending the 2025-26 season in superb form (Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images)
They want to build around the likes of Gibbs-White — who, with that excellent goal on Sunday, staked another clear claim for a place in the England squad for this summer’s World Cup — Neco Williams and Murillo.
Forest hope to tie Williams down to a new deal, with the Wales international full-back having been the most consistent performer in the side this season, even amid the turmoil.
Gibbs-White remains as important as any player in the Forest ranks, and delivered a swaggering performance of his own at Old Trafford. One pass, struck imperiously with the outside of his boot to pick out Chris Wood in the penalty area, was a thing of beauty. The side’s regular captain, he will remain a key figure, and there is a belief at the club that they can keep the majority of this squad together as they prepare for what will be a fifth consecutive season of top-flight football.
The mood behind the scenes is a positive one; after again avoiding relegation, there is a sense of optimism about what might be possible in the future.
One of Pereira’s biggest successes has been the manner in which he has coaxed greater contributions from players who were previously fringe figures.
James McAtee, Luca Netz, Dilane Bakwa and Jair Cunha have all suggested there is more to come from them since the 57-year-old Portuguese replaced Dyche three months ago. Morato has also looked more confident and assured — qualities that will only have been boosted yesterday by the Brazilian defender’s first goal for a club he joined in summer 2024.
Pereira has elicited decent form from the likes of Omari Hutchinson (Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Omari Hutchinson, Forest’s £37.5million record signing last summer, has played his best football for them in the final quarter of the campaign. Nico Dominguez has put together a convincing and timely reminder that he is a useful asset in midfield.
Forest saw an eight-match, two-month unbeaten run in the Premier League brought to a halt at Old Trafford — although they can also point to one of the worst VAR decisions of a recent period of controversy regarding the technology, when a goal from Matheus Cunha to put United back in front right after Morato’s leveller was allowed to stand despite a clear handball by Bryan Mbeumo in the build-up. On that basis, a 2-2 draw would have been a more reasonable outcome.
But defeat did little to dampen the mood among the away fans, who will have shared Pereira’s relief that safety had been secured ahead of this trip to opponents who will finish third in the Premier League table. They chanted their support for him before, during and after the game. He has forged a bond with the Forest public that had not been seen since Nuno Espirito Santo and, before him, Steve Cooper were in charge.
For much of this remarkable campaign, before Pereira’s appointment, there was a real danger that Forest might slip into the Championship; that the craziness might be capped by relegation.
The Portuguese has a habit of keeping a pen and paper by his bed, in case he is struck by inspiration during the night. “Sometimes I find solutions when I am sleeping,” he jokes.
Now, thanks to his work so far, both Pereira and the Forest fans can dare to dream of a brighter future.
