Harry Maguire had the last laugh to push Manchester United closer to a top-four finish and an immediate return to the Champions League.
Early on, this had all the hallmarks of a calamitous Maguire display. Booked inside three minutes for hauling back Taiwo Awoniyi, Maguire then put a simple pass - intended for Aaraon Wan-Bissaka – straight out of play.
Forest fans sensed the United skipper was vulnerable and wasted no time in trying to further unsettle the England defender, with gleeful chants of “Leicester reject” at the 30-year-old. Lesser players may have let the abuse get to them and crumble.
But Maguire showed his strength of character and mental resilience to come through his early wobble and lead United to a crucial win. He played with composure and authority thereafter, anticipating danger and dealing with it, ensuring the loss of United's first-choice central defensive pairing of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane was not felt by Erik ten Hag's side.
This has been a testing campaign for Maguire, since losing his place at the start of the season. It was a bold call from Ten Hag to jettison his skipper, but Maguire accepted the decision with humility and dignity.
Last Thursday, Maguire was the hapless fall-guy, the ball deflecting off him for an own goal as Sevilla came from 2-0 down to snatch a draw at Old Trafford in the Europa League quarter-final first-leg.
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Such misfortune has been a familiar theme for Maguire this season, but he has not looked for excuses, responding to setbacks with a positive mindset, just as he did here after a torrid start.
This summer Maguire faces a big decision over his future. If he wants to remain an automatic starter for England at Euro 2024, he surely has to leave United for regular football elsewhere.
For now, his focus must be on stepping up for United and proving his enduring worth as the season enters the home straight and the big prizes loom. Over the next few weeks, a season of frustration on a personal level could end in vindication for Maguire and humiliation for his critics.
