Nottingham Forest’s City Ground witnessed a dramatic conclusion to Manchester United’s recent resurgence on Saturday, as a late Amad Diallo volley secured a 2-2 draw, halting their winning streak at three matches. The result, while extending United’s unbeaten run, represents a setback for manager Ruben Amorim’s side, who had appeared to be building momentum.
Casemiro opened the scoring for Manchester United, capitalizing on a controversial corner award. However, Forest responded swiftly after the interval, with goals from Morgan Gibbs-White and Nicolo Savona turning the tide within a mere two minutes. Diallo’s 89th-minute equalizer ultimately salvaged a point for the visitors, but the manner of the performance will undoubtedly raise questions.
The draw brings an end to a remarkable personal challenge for Manchester United fan Frank Ilett, who had vowed not to cut his hair until the team achieved five consecutive victories. Ilett began his hair-growing pledge in October 2024, a period when United struggled for consistency under Amorim. His dedication, spanning nearly 500 days, became a symbol of the club’s difficulties and a rallying point for supporters. A win against West Ham United on Tuesday would have finally allowed Ilett to visit the barber, but that opportunity has now passed.
Amorim acknowledged the team’s dip in energy levels during a crucial five-minute period in the second half, which allowed Forest to seize control of the game. “We dropped our energy levels,” he stated. “You can feel it when our team is not on top. We had a big opportunity at the end but we missed that little bit of luck.” Despite the disappointment, Amorim emphasized the positive shift in the team’s mentality, noting, “I think everyone can see it. We have the feeling that if we are not going to win, at least we’re not going to lose.”
The manager also highlighted the importance of maintaining consistency in performance, both at Old Trafford and on the road. “We need to work with time to have the same energy at our stadium and away,” Amorim explained. “We are getting better. The way we press, the urgency in certain things… The way we were last Sunday, we need to be that in every game.”
While Diallo’s late goal provided a moment of brilliance and secured a point, Amorim remained focused on the broader aspects of the team’s performance. “It’s something good for the fans,” he conceded, “It was a really important goal but I’m more focused on the 90 minutes, what we should’ve done better and what we’ve done right. We will work to return to the feeling of winning games, which is massive for us.”
The draw at Nottingham Forest follows a period of positive results for Manchester United under Amorim, including victories against Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur. The four-game winning streak, which ended at the City Ground, represented the club’s longest run of consecutive wins since Ilett began his hair-growing challenge. The appointment of Michael Carrick as interim manager prior to Amorim’s tenure played a significant role in turning the team’s fortunes around.
Looking ahead, Manchester United face a crucial fixture against West Ham United on . West Ham are currently battling relegation, adding further significance to the match. For Ilett, the game represents a final, fleeting chance to end his 490-day hair vow, though the draw against Forest has effectively extinguished that hope. The result underscores the fine margins at the top of the Premier League and the challenges of maintaining consistency throughout a demanding season.
The match also highlighted the growing resilience within the Manchester United squad. Despite falling behind, they demonstrated the character to fight back and secure a draw, a quality that Amorim believes is becoming increasingly ingrained in the team’s DNA. “At the end I think that is a good thing in the game, if we compare in the recent past,” Amorim said. “We were a little bit different in that moment. We had five minutes where we disconnected but we controlled our emotions and continued to play.”
The outcome at the City Ground serves as a reminder that even during periods of progress, setbacks are inevitable. For Manchester United, the focus now shifts to building on the positive aspects of their performance and addressing the areas where improvement is needed, as they continue their pursuit of a top-four finish in the Premier League.
