- Fans on social media react to performance of duo after 3-2 win against Notts Forest
- Poor form in 2026 came after AFCON return
- “Shattered” duo need next season to come around and regain form
Manchester United won a five-game goalfest against Nottingham Forest in their final outing at Old Trafford this season.
Goals from Luke Shaw, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbuemo confirmed United’s place in third place with one game to go. Qualification for Champions League football was already secured in a similar 3-2 win against rivals Liverpool earlier in the month.
The attention was on some key players to impress, with Michael Carrick playing a strong starting eleven in the penultimate game of 2025/26.
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Fans React to Mbuemo and Amad Performances
Fans on social media reacted to the performances of Bryan Mbuemo and Amad Diallo, who both started the game. They took to X to highlight their frustrations throughout the game. To his relief, Mbeumo scored his first goal since February for the Red Devils, but missed key chances in the process.
One fan was more hopeful, offering constructive criticism: “Confidence is clearly shattered. I think he’ll look like a different player in August.” Another shared a similar opinion, citing fatigue: “End of the season can’t come soon enough for Mbeumo and Amad.”
Early in the first half, Amad’s indecisiveness to pick out the right option in a break summed up his life in 2026. On the other end of the pitch, the Ivorian was bodied by Forest defender Morato, who scored an equaliser in the second half. In the post-match analysis, Roy Keane brutally described him being pushed off the ball “like a child”.
A further example of a player shot of confidence was in the 88th minute. The winger had the chance for an assist against a tired Forest defence. However, he misfired a simple pass to Joshua Zirkzee in the counterattack.
As one fan put it, a “rest” and “reset” will go a long way to rebuild “confidence back”. Mbuemo will have plenty of time to do so over the summer, as Cameroon did not qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Amad, however, will likely be travelling to North America with the Ivory Coast.
Post-AFCON Form Poses Questions
One of the key factors in the duo’s poor form has been their return from AFCON 2026. Mbuemo had gone 11 games without scoring until his goal against Forest. It took numerous groans from the home crowd on Sunday (17 May) before the Cameroonian found the back of the net. Earlier in the game, he rounded goalkeeper Matz Sels, only to agonisingly hit the post.
Amad’s drought continues, with 16 games having passed since his last goal contribution against AFC Bournemouth in December 2025.
It leaves much room for imagination, even despite United’s strong form under Carrick. As one fan put it: “It’s painful how much our forwards have dovetailed this season. Mbeumo started on fire & Amad was playing well. They fizzled off under the new management whilst Cunha + Sesko found form.”
Elsewhere, other fans had a more amusing take, claiming that the pair “returned from afcon as two doppelgängers”.
All in all, it was a good afternoon for Manchester United as they closed out a win in Casemiro’s final game at Old Trafford. The Reds could finish the season with 71 points with a win against Brighton next weekend.
