Anthony Elanga scored a sensational goal to help Nottingham Forest defeat his former club, Manchester United, but his celebration was muted as a sign of respect.

Nottingham Forest headed into this encounter on Tuesday, April 1, looking to solidify the third spot in the Premier League.

Over the weekend, they had booked their place in the FA Cup semis after beating Brighton. Man United, on the other hand, were aiming to build on their good run.

However, the Red Devils' plan was in tatters after just five minutes into the contest. Their former player, Elanga, gave the hosts the lead in the fifth minute with a spectacular goal.

Following a Man United corner, a clearance fell onto Elanga's path and the Swedish winger took the ball inside his own half, ran and scored.

Man United defenders tried to keep up with him but failed. Elanga refused to celebrate his goal out of respect for his former club that gave him his senior debut.

The Red Devils dominated the ball for the majority of the match but couldn't score.

The win saw Forest take their tally for the season to 57 points, four behind second-placed Arsenal. They are eight points ahead of fourth-placed Chelsea.

The 22-year-old has now registered six goals and nine assists in all competitions in his second season at Forest. He left Man United in 2023 and has never looked back.

"I think the finish is something I have been trying to work on," Elanga said via MEN. "You can run as fast as that but you have got to be calm when it comes to the other side of the goal."

I feel like coming here it has been about playing and developing every single day. I appreciate Manchester United so much because I learnt a lot there and I took another step here to learn a different type of football as well," he continued.

The Swede will likely be playing in the Champions League next season.

Man United fans were not happy with his departure, and on Tuesday, he showed them what they were missing.

He made his senior debut in May 2021 in Man United's clash against Leicester before Erik ten Hag's arrival.

Opportunities became limited when the Dutchman took over in 2022.

"No, I wouldn't say that [Ten Hag was the reason for his departure]. I just wanted to play, that was especially important to me," he said via MEN. "I'm young and don't want to sit on the bench all season, you know?"

Man United probably regret selling the winger.

earlier reported that Man United boss Ruben Amorim called out Alejandro Garnacho after Man United's loss at Forest.

Amorim was not happy with Garnacho, who made some baffling decisions in the final third.

Source: TUKO.co.ke