Bruno Fernandes proved Kevin De Bruyne right with creative masterclass for Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest

Manchester United were far from their best against Nottingham Forest on Saturday but there were at least glimmers of individual improvement.

Erik ten Hag's side somehow found themselves 2-0 down inside four minutes at Old Trafford, with Taiwo Awoniyi and Willy Boly throwing two sucker-punches. But the Reds picked themselves up off the canvas and fought back, with goals from Christian Eriksen, Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes turning the tide.

The latter's penalty decided it, with Fernandes arrowing his spot-kick past Matt Turner. And it was the Portuguese midfielder whose endeavour throughout the 90 minutes built the momentum that fuelled the comeback.

It was Fernandes' powerful long-range effort that forced Turner into a save that eventually fell for Marcus Rashford to set up Eriksen. And the 28-year-old was on hand with the composure to lay the ball on a plate for Casemiro's equaliser.

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That assist was one of 10 chances created by Fernandes against Forest, making him the first player to hit double figures during one game in that metric this season.

"I think he's a creative machine, in general," Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne told Sky Sports' Saturday Social of Fernandes. "Odegaard is very creative but a little bit more controlled. Maddison is also really creative but I need to see more of him in a big team.

"He's [Fernandes] been doing it for such a long time. Odegaard was amazing last year but obviously he’s younger so that's a difference."

Fernandes, like every United player this season, has been some way short of his best in the opening weeks. But the Reds captain turned up when it mattered most on Saturday and put in an excellent performance with his side needing a