Marcus Rashford scored one purpose and arrange one other as Manchester United beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 to maneuver a degree behind fourth-positioned Tottenham within the Premier League.
United’s preparations had been disrupted by a virus which left Raphael Varane, who had solely simply returned from World Cup responsibility with France, as their solely match centre-again, with Erik ten Hag having to make use of left-again Luke Shaw alongside him.
But Forest not often examined their makeshift backline, and, in United’s first Premier League recreation since Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure, Rashford took centre stage, dispatching the opener from Christian Eriksen’s intelligent nook within the nineteenth minute, then teeing up Anthony Martial for the second purpose shortly afterwards.
Forest’s Ryan Yates noticed a purpose dominated out for offside by VAR shortly earlier than half-time, however United had been in any other case dominant and wrapped up the win when the wonderful Casemiro stole possession excessive up the pitch and fed substitute Fred, who lashed house a robust end three minutes from time.
The victory ensures United resume their Premier League marketing campaign in the easiest way potential, closing the hole to Spurs as they chase a high-4 end, whereas Forest stay nineteenth, a degree from security.
How United cruised to victory
The warning indicators had been there for Nottingham Forest from the primary couple of minutes of the sport, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Tyrell Malacia discovering house on the flanks and the latter seeing a robust effort turned onto the publish by Wayne Hennessey.
The goalkeeper, standing in for the on-mortgage Dean Henderson towards his dad or mum membership, was lucky that shot did not squirm into the online quite than onto the upright, however United did not have to attend lengthy to make the breakthrough.
Rashford’s purpose, dispatched first-time following a pre-rehearsed nook routine, made it 5 in his final eight video games for United both aspect of the World Cup – the place he additionally netted thrice for England – and he then turned supplier for Martial.
Hennessey ought to have completed higher with Martial’s low effort, the Welsh worldwide crushed regardless of getting a hand to the shot, however the purpose capped a slick counter from the hosts which began with Casemiro profitable a deal with close to his personal byline.
Marcus Rashford celebrates with Anthony Martial at Old Trafford
United seemed in full management as half-time approached however they’d a let-off when the unmarked Yates had a purpose dominated out by VAR following a free kick, his header discovered to have hit Wily Boly in an offside place earlier than beating David de Gea.
Forest began the second half slightly extra brightly, however the most effective probabilities continued to fall to United, with Antony, Martial, Rashford and Casemiro all denied by Hennessey.
Willy Boly finds the online just for his effort to be dominated out by VAR for offside
Forest’s greatest alternative to drag a purpose again got here when Brennan Johnson’s tried flick draw a parried save from De Gea at his close to publish, however United sealed the win in model.
Casemiro, wonderful at each ends of the pitch over the course of the sport, confirmed spectacular alertness to intercept a Forest cross as they tried to launch a counter-assault, then performed in Fred, whose fantastic end discovered the far nook, capping a satisfying evening’s work for the hosts.
Rashford’s fantastic type – Opta stats
- Marcus Rashford has scored 10 objectives in all competitions this season for Manchester United (21 video games), double his tally from the entire of the final marketing campaign (5 in 32 video games).
- Anthony Martial has been instantly concerned in 5 objectives in his final six Premier League appearances for Manchester United (three objectives, two assists all beneath Erik ten Hag) – another than he managed in his earlier 21 (beneath Ralf Rangnick, Michael Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjær).
- Fred’s purpose, assisted by Casemiro, was the primary time two Brazilians mixed for a Manchester United purpose within the Premier League.
- Manchester United have saved 4 consecutive clear sheets at Old Trafford within the Premier League for first time since February-June 2020.
What’s subsequent?
Manchester United are away to Wolves of their subsequent Premier League recreation on Saturday, with kick-off at 12.30pm.
Nottingham Forest host Chelsea stay on Sky Sports on Sunday, with kick-off at 4.30pm.
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