Nottingham Forest defeated Manchester United for the first time since 1994, due to Morgan Gibbs-White, as Erik ten Hag’s team ended a difficult year with a whimper.

The Red Devils had won the previous 11 meetings in all competitions, but new manager Nuno Espirito Santo would celebrate a sensational second victory in five days.

After Marcus Rashford profited on a sloppy Matt Turner pass to equalize Nicolas Dominguez’s goal, Gibbs-White’s late strike from the edge of the box sealed a 2-1 victory.

This was United’s 14th defeat in all competitions this season, and it was a disappointing end to the season for a squad that had come from behind to beat Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

Rasmus Hojlund was ruled out due to illness, and Ten Hag’s team underperformed at the City Ground, where a dreary first half was followed by an exciting second half.

Rodriguez gave Forest the lead in the 64th minute, only for Turner to see a terrible ball cut out as Rashford rifled in an equalizer in the 78th.

However, four minutes later, the goalkeeper made amends by stopping Christian Eriksen before the hosts stormed up the field and Gibbs-White slammed the hosts back ahead.

Turner held firm in stoppage time to give Forest their first home win over United since 1992.

Sir Dave Brailsford, INEOS’s director of sport, joined Sir Alex Ferguson on the Trent’s banks, where Kobbie Mainoo headed away a Dominguez effort early on.

Chris Wood, fresh off a hat-trick against Newcastle on Boxing Day, drove wide before United escaped an 11th-minute scare.

Anthony Elanga, a former Manchester United player, delivered a cross into the box on the left, and Raphael Varane’s weak attempt to clear it took it over the helpless Andre Onana and across the face of goal.

Forest fans sang “you’re not famous anymore” as their team maintained their advantage, owing in part to United’s poor decision making and passing.

Ten Hag’s men were spread out in attacking areas, as Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s shot was blocked shortly after Ryan Yates scooped over at the other end.

A dismal first half continued until halftime, when Scott McTominay replaced Mainoo.

Ten Hag also replaced Antony in the 54th minute, prompting Forest to yell “what a waste of money” as Amad Diallo made his first United appearance in two years.

United almost gained the lead a minute later, thanks to the odd source of Diogo Dalot. The right post deflected the full-back’s first-time long-range shot.

However, Forest had come out of halftime with more bite, and the City Ground was trembling in the 64th minute.

Right-back Gonzalo Montiel was fed by Elanga, who followed an outstanding touch with a beautiful cutback for compatriot Dominguez to stroke into the bottom corner.

It was an incredible strike that elicited screams of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” directed at Ten Hag.

Alejandro Garnacho fired an acrobatic effort into the ground and onto the roof of the net as United sought a leveller that Turner was relieved not to grant them.

The Forest goalkeeper’s miskick flew high in the air before returning to him. His blushes, on the other hand, would not be spared for long.

Turner’s weak back ball was intercepted by Garnacho, who squared for Rashford to equalize in the 78th minute.

Forest supporters roared at the goalkeeper’s latest error, and murmuring erupted when he touched the ball again.

Turner’s face was saved when he stopped Eriksen, resulting in a Forest break. After Elanga squared for him, Gibbs-White curled beyond Onana into the bottom corner.

Turner superbly tipped over a deflected Fernandes shot midway through 10 minutes of stoppage time, and the stadium erupted once more.

Before the final whistle, which sent the players to the ground, Amad was also refused.