Erik ten Hag's side fell to yet another dismal away defeat as their attack again struggled to create a spark at the City Ground

False dawns and Manchester United have been a match made in heaven throughout 2023, and in their final game of the calendar year, Erik ten Hag's side again showed that their Boxing Day heroics against Aston Villa were nothing but a mirage as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest.

With Rasmus Hojlund ruled out due to illness, United lacked any kind of attacking intent in the first half, though Forest too struggled to create anything of note themselves. The home side did, however, break the deadlock after the break as Nico Dominguez swept home after a good passing move.

Until then, United's closest effort had come when Diogo Dalot struck the post from 25 yards, but they were eventually gifted a route back into the game when Forest goalkeeper Matt Turner's poor clearance eventually fell for Marcus Rashford to fire home.

However, the Red Devils were caught out on the counter-attack soon after, as Morgan Gibbs-White secured a first home win for manager Nuno Espirito Santo, while Ten Hag's side have now lost nine of their first 20 games of the Premier League season.