It is now a record 48 times that Manchester United have reached the FA Cup quarter-finals, and Erik ten Hag must find a way past Liverpool in his mission to end the season with silverware.
The City Ground has historically proven a fortunate cup venue for United managers in desperate need of results and, as the mist rolled in from the River Trent, the pressure on Ten Hag evaporated for a few more days.
Casemiro’s header a minute from the end spared United from further scrutiny after their dismal defeat by Fulham, with two figures from past and present in Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Dave Brailsford watching on from the stand.
United will face Liverpool at Old Trafford in the quarter-final next month, with Ten Hag hopeful that Harry Maguire and Rasmus Hojlund return from injury for such a potentially pivotal match in their season.
This was a scrappy, mediocre affair, yet Ten Hag does appear to have a propensity to pick up positive results when he most needs them.
The FA Cup represents United’s only hope of lifting a trophy this season, however improbable that may be after such a wildly unpredictable campaign.
“There are many good teams in the Premier League and Liverpool are top so it is a great challenge,” said Ten Hag. “We are really looking forward because it’s a great game, but first we must look to Sunday [away at Manchester City].
“We want to win every competition so every game is big. The fans deserve a team that is fighting and shows passion and desire.
“We lost one time in 2024. We are consistent. It’s not so easy when you have the whole backline [injured] and we have to shuffle and play players in different positions. I’m very proud we did it.”
The last time these two clubs met in the FA Cup is a moment entrenched in United’s history. In January 1990, Ferguson was fighting to save his job after an alarming run of results which led to the infamous banner “3 years of excuses and it’s still c—. Ta Ra Fergie”.
It proved a pivotal moment in Ferguson’s tenure, with Mark Robins stooping to head the winner and save his manager, initiating the magic-carpet ride of memories that would follow.
This result was nowhere near as seismic for Ten Hag, but these are uncertain times with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ambitious rebuild already under way.
Recruitment remains a major focus for the new owners, and United’s lack of strength in depth was again glaringly evident here. With Luke Shaw injured, Sofyan Amrabat was United’s left-back.
There was also another underwhelming performance from Antony, in his first start since the FA Cup tie at Newport County in January.
The £82 million signing was removed after 72 minutes and clearly unhappy at his substitution, with chants of “what a waste of money” echoing around the ground as he walked to the dug-out. It just seems as if his United career will never take off, despite Ten Hag appearing to retain the faith.
Marcus Rashford was also a peripheral figure, with little support up front. Alan Shearer, watching on as a TV pundit for the BBC, criticised his body language.
There were decent performances from goalkeeper Andre Onana and Casemiro, however, while Ten Hag paid special attention to Bruno Fernandes for playing through the pain barrier.
It was Fernandes’ wickedly in-swerving free kick from the left a minute from time which presented Casemiro with the chance to steal the game. With Forest midfielder Danilo appearing to slip, Casemiro nudged in front and headed the ball past Matt Turner at the near post.
The goal went before a VAR check for offside but, after a lengthy delay, the cheers from the travelling supporters continued long after the final whistle.
Nottingham Forest can now focus solely on their survival battle in the league, with Nuno Espirito Santo’s team bracing themselves for a nervy end to the season.
Their hearing will begin next Thursday over a Premier League charge for breaching financial rules, and the prospect of a points deduction remains a possibility.
Nuno is battling to block out the uncertainty, but it is the only subject in town for concerned supporters until the verdict is known.
Forest did have chances, with Taiwo Awoniyi (twice) and Divock Origi denied by Onana, but Nuno’s squad is currently decimated by injuries.
It does not promise to get any easier just yet, with the visit of Jurgen Klopp’s league leaders this weekend.
“This was a competition in which we had expectations. Now is not the moment to regret it,” said Nuno. “I’m disappointed for the fans. We all had the dream for the FA Cup. Now it’s over. We’ll try again next time. It’s a joy to play here and we now have to move on.”
On potential points deductions in the relegation battle, Nuno said: “We are aware that things outside [are happening].
“We’re still waiting for a decision. We can’t do anything about it. We have to work and put our energy into the next game against Liverpool.”