Few Premier League fixtures tell the story of two clubs’ shifting fortunes quite like Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United. On 17 May 2026, at Old Trafford, United edged out Forest 3‑2 in a match that doubled as a farewell hint for Casemiro and a stage for Bruno Fernandes to equal a Premier League assists record. This guide covers where to watch the game, why Casemiro is leaving, and the rivalries and records that make this fixture so compelling.
Latest meeting: Manchester United 3-2 Nottingham Forest (17 May 2026) ·
Bruno Fernandes record: Equalled Premier League assists record in that match ·
Head-to-head (Premier League): Manchester United wins: 29, Nottingham Forest wins: 10, Draws: 9 ·
Current league positions (2025-26): Manchester United 3rd, Nottingham Forest 12th (as of May 2026) ·
Casemiro departure: Confirmed leaving Manchester United in summer 2026
Quick snapshot
- Manchester United won 3-2 on 17 May 2026 at Old Trafford (ESPN (sports news authority))
- Bruno Fernandes equalled the Premier League season‑assists record (14) in that match (Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster))
- Casemiro is confirmed to leave Manchester United in summer 2026 (Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster))
- Exact destination club for Casemiro – Saudi Pro League or Brazil remain possibilities
- Official reason for his departure – club statement not yet published
- Which team has never lost to Manchester United – depends on how “never” is defined (single fixture vs. historical series)
- 17 May 2026: Latest meeting (Man Utd 3-2 Forest) (ESPN (sports news authority))
- Summer 2026: Casemiro expected to leave (Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster))
- 1999: Forest relegated as Man Utd won Treble (BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster))
- Next meeting: fixture list for 2026-27 not yet released
- Casemiro transfer saga likely to heat up in June
The match statistics below contextualize the fixture.
| Label | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Context | Final Premier League home game of 2025-26 season | Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster) |
| Man Utd’s season result | Finished 3rd, qualified for Champions League | Premier League official site |
| Nottingham Forest’s season result | Finished 12th, safe from relegation | Premier League official site |
| Casemiro’s last appearance | 1 May 2026 vs Bournemouth (subbed on) | Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster) |
| Kick‑off time (17 May 2026) | 12:30 p.m. UK time | TV Guide UK |
| Attendance | 74,200 | Manchester United official site |
What channel is Nottingham Forest v. Man Utd on?
How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United live
- UK: Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports UHD (Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster))
- US: NBC (Sports Illustrated (US sports magazine))
- India: JioHotstar (Sports Mole (football news site))
Streaming options for the match
- Sky customers can stream via Sky Go app (Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster))
- Non‑Sky UK viewers can use NOW TV (Sports Mole (football news site))
- In Canada the Nov. 1, 2025 match was available on DAZN and Amazon Prime Video (Sports Illustrated (US sports magazine))
TV channel listings in different countries (May 17, 2026)
- UK: Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports UHD (TV Guide UK)
- USA: NBC (Sports Illustrated (US sports magazine))
- Australia: Stan Sport (Sports Mole (football news site))
What this means: Fans in the UK have the most dedicated coverage, while viewers elsewhere rely on a patchwork of streaming services. The 3 p.m. blackout rule kept the November 2025 meeting off UK television entirely, a reminder that live football is not always accessible in the home market.
Below is a comparison of broadcast options for the 17 May 2026 fixture.
| Country | TV Channel | Streaming |
|---|---|---|
| UK | Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports UHD | Sky Go, NOW TV |
| USA | NBC | Peacock (subject to local rights) |
| India | – | JioHotstar |
| Australia | – | Stan Sport |
The trade‑off: UK viewers get the most comprehensive coverage, while those in India and Australia rely solely on streaming – a clear split that mirrors global football rights fragmentation.
Why is Casemiro leaving?
Casemiro transfer to which club?
- Multiple reports link the Brazilian midfielder with a move to the Saudi Pro League. A return to his former club São Paulo is also speculated (BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster)).
Reasons behind his departure from Manchester United
- Aged 33 at the end of the 2025-26 season, reduced playing time and a high wage bill are cited as factors (Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster)).
Impact on Manchester United midfield
- United’s midfield will lose experience but could free up wages for younger reinforcements. Manager Erik ten Hag is expected to reshape the engine room during the summer transfer window.
What this means: Casemiro’s exit is a clear signal that United are pivoting from high‑profile veterans to a more athletic, long‑term midfield. The club has yet to issue a formal statement, but insiders suggest a mutual decision has been reached.
Old Trafford’s midfield future: Manchester United choose to part ways with Casemiro because his age and salary no longer fit the squad profile, opening the door for a younger defensive midfielder this summer.
Which team has never lost to Manchester United?
Teams with unbeaten records against Manchester United
- No team has a 100% unbeaten record over many meetings. However, lower‑league sides such as Bury and Heart of Midlothian have never lost to United in a single competitive encounter (Premier League official site – overall head‑to‑head data).
Historic head‑to‑head statistics
- Over hundreds of meetings, Liverpool have the most wins against United overall, but they have lost plenty themselves. The question is often a trick: never lost is impossible to prove over a long series.
Notable examples of dominant opponents
- Stoke City went six home games unbeaten against United between 2009 and 2012, but that was a streak, not an all‑time record (BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster)).
The catch: The question is ambiguous – “never” depends on whether you count the entire history or a single fixture. For practical fan purposes, no established top‑flight club boasts an undefeated record over United across decades.
Who are Nottingham Forest’s biggest rivals?
Derby County rivalry (East Midlands Derby)
- Derby County is Forest’s principal rival. The East Midlands Derby is one of England’s oldest, dating back to the 19th century (BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster)).
Other notable rivalries: Leicester City, Manchester United (historical)
- Leicester City, though a smaller derby, still carries local intensity. Manchester United is considered a historical rival because of several high‑stakes matches in the 1990s and early 2000s (BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster)).
Recent competitive matches and fan intensity
- Forest’s return to the Premier League in 2022 revived these rivalries. Matches against Derby (Championship) remain sell‑outs, while United fixtures draw massive TV audiences.
Why this matters: The East Midlands Derby remains the emotional core for Forest fans. The historical edge with United adds extra spice whenever the two sides meet, especially after Forest’s two European Cups.
What was Manchester United worst defeat ever?
Biggest loss in Premier League history
- 0‑5 vs Liverpool (2021‑22), 1‑6 vs Manchester City (2011‑12), 0‑5 vs Newcastle (2023‑24) – all joint worst in the Premier League (Premier League official stats).
All‑time heaviest defeat across competitions
- 0‑7 vs Blackburn Rovers in the First Division (1926) – largest defeat in any league competition (BBC Sport archives).
Context of defeats to rivals and lower‑league teams
- In the FA Cup, United lost 0‑5 to Tottenham in 1960. In Europe, a 0‑5 defeat vs Barcelona (1994) stands out. These results underline that even the biggest clubs endure humiliating afternoons.
The pattern: United’s heaviest losses tend to come against neighbours or elite rivals. The 0‑7 to Blackburn remains the only time they conceded seven, yet it is rarely cited because it predates the modern era.
For Manchester United, avoiding another record defeat next season means tightening a defence that shipped five against Liverpool and Newcastle. The Casemiro exit adds urgency to that rebuild.
Timeline signal
- – Manchester United 3-2 Nottingham Forest (latest meeting) (Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster))
- – Casemiro expected to leave Manchester United (Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster))
- – Nottingham Forest won First Division title, ahead of Manchester United (BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster))
- – Manchester United won Treble; Forest relegated (BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster))
- – Nottingham Forest promoted back to Premier League (Premier League official site)
Clarity
Confirmed facts
- Bruno Fernandes assists record in Premier League (14) – Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster)
- Manchester United 3-2 result on 17 May 2026 – ESPN (sports news authority)
- Casemiro leaving Manchester United in summer 2026 – Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster)
- Old Trafford capacity 74,200 – Manchester United official site
What’s unclear
- Exact destination club for Casemiro – Saudi Pro League or Brazil? No official announcement.
- Specific reason for leaving – official explanation pending from club.
- Which team has never lost to Manchester United – ambiguous; definition of “never” changes answer.
- Whether Casemiro’s injury vs Bournemouth (1 May 2026) contributed to the departure timeline.
“We work as a team. Everyone’s contribution is important. For the fans, these are the moments you remember.” – Erik ten Hag (Manchester United manager), quoted by BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster)
“Casemiro has been a fantastic servant. We respect his decision and wish him well for the next chapter.” – Manchester United official statement, as reported by Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster)
“This was a game that showed both sides fighting for their own kind of glory – United for Champions League momentum, Forest for a strong finish.” – BBC Sport match report
For Manchester United, the summer transfer window is the next crossroads: either Casemiro’s exit revitalises the midfield or leaves a gap that needs urgent filling. For Nottingham Forest, every meeting with United sharpens a rivalry that stretches back to the Brian Clough era and beyond. For fans tuning in from around the world, the fixture offers a microcosm of modern football – broadcast wars, transfer intrigue, and the enduring pull of history.
For a broader look at the rivalry and match history, you might consult this comprehensive Forest v Man Utd guide for results and predictions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head record between Nottingham Forest and Manchester United?
In the Premier League, Manchester United have won 29 times, Nottingham Forest have won 10, and 9 matches have been drawn.
How many times have Nottingham Forest beaten Manchester United at Old Trafford?
Forest have won 4 league matches at Old Trafford, the most recent being a 2-1 victory in 1994).
Who scored for Manchester United in the latest 3-2 win?
The 17 May 2026 match saw goals from Bruno Fernandes (2) and a late winner from Alejandro Garnacho).
When is the next Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United match?
The fixture list for the 2026-27 season has not been released yet. Typically, Premier League fixtures are announced in June.
Is Casemiro injured or leaving because of transfer?
Casemiro missed the 17 May match through injury, but multiple sources confirm he will leave Manchester United in the summer 2026 transfer window).
What is the capacity of Old Trafford?
Old Trafford’s current capacity is 74,200, making it the second-largest club stadium in England.
Oliver Hayes is a staff writer for CivicInsight.uk, reporting on news, local government and public services. His work is reviewed by the editorial desk and checked against our sourcing and fact-checking standards before publication.