Manchester United secured a spot in the FA Cup quarter-finals with a dramatic late winner from Casemiro against Nottingham Forest, setting up a thrilling encounter with Liverpool

In a match that could hardly be described as a classic Manchester United performance, it was Casemiro’s last-minute header that clinched a narrow 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup. The Brazilian midfielder’s decisive touch came from a Bruno Fernandes free-kick, sending United into the quarter-finals despite a less than convincing display.

The game at the City Ground was tense and lacked the excitement expected from an FA Cup tie. Manchester United, under the management of Erik ten Hag, struggled to impose themselves, with the team’s performance echoing their recent lacklustre form.

Nottingham Forest, on the other hand, showed attacking intent but were unable to capitalize on their opportunities. Anthony Elanga, a former United player, and Taiwo Awoniyi posed threats to the United defence but failed to find the back of the net.

The match seemed destined for a stalemate until the 89th minute when Fernandes’ free-kick found its way to Casemiro, who managed to direct the ball past Forest goalkeeper Matt Turner. The goal was subject to a lengthy VAR check for a possible offside, but it was eventually awarded, much to the relief of the United camp.

The victory provides a temporary respite for Ten Hag’s side, who have been under scrutiny following a series of disappointing results. The win sets up an eagerly anticipated FA Cup quarter-final clash against arch-rivals Liverpool, adding another chapter to their storied rivalry.

As Manchester United look to salvage their season with a strong FA Cup run, the focus will now shift to their upcoming encounter with Liverpool, where they will need to significantly improve their performance to progress further in the competition.