Manchester United marked their return to the City Ground with a 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night.
United went down 3-2 to Arsenal this weekend, but Erik ten Hag insisted performance was ‘lagging behind’ in preparation for the League Cup first leg against Nottingham Forest, which has continued to improve in recent weeks.
Ten Hag’s prediction proved true as United recorded a stylish 3-0 win against Forest in the first leg of the semi-final thanks to goals from Marcus Rashford, Wout Weghorst and Bruno Fernandes, effectively ending the tie.
The second leg will be played at Old Trafford on February 1, but a trip to Wembley already seems inevitable for United.
Ten Hag has a huge chance to win a trophy in his first season as leader and end the club’s trophy drought.
A summary of the events of the City Ground.
KEY TIME
United player ratings vs Forest as Rashford and Martinez good
David deGa
Well beaten for the disallowed goal and made a straight stop from Gustavo Scarpa’s volley. 6
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Not particularly present in the attack and was slowed down by Brennan Johnson. Had a quieter second half. 6
Victor Lindelof
A respectable return on his first start in three weeks and grew in play in his reunion with Lisandro Martinez. 7
Read the full reviews here.
FT – NFO 0-3 MUNKEY TIME
FULL TIME!
That’s the full-time whistle here.
United win the first leg in style.
90′ – NFO 0-3 MUNStephen Railston
Add three minutes
That’s definitely the tie that broke.
Wembley beckons.
88′ – NFO 0-3 MUNKEY TIME
TARGET! 3-0 UNITED!
Fernandes thumps home to make it 3-0.
Good job by Elanga for setting it up.
85′ – NFO 0-2 MUNStephen Railston
Elanga is coming
Weghorst OFF.
Elanga ON.
83′ – NFO 0-2 MUNStephen Railston
Almost a fine
Pellistri was booked for a foul just outside the penalty area.
That was lucky.
81′ – NFO 0-2 MUNStephen Railston
Elanga is coming
The winger is ready to reach the final phase.
78′ – NFO 0-2 MUNStephen Railston
OPPORTUNITY!
Pellistri with a nice cross but Weghorst cannot produce the finish
75′ – NFO 0-2 MUNStephen Railston
Very comfortable
Forest had a period in the first half, but they were poor.
This was very comfortable for United.
72′ – NFO 0-2 MUNStephen Railston
An opportunity for Pellistri
This is only his second appearance since signing for the club in October 2020.
He made his debut against Charlton earlier this month with an impressive cameo appearance and he has 20 minutes here to make a statement to the manager.
70′ – NFO 0-2 MUNStephen Railston
The changes are made
Eriksen and Antony OUT.
Fred and Pellistri ON.
69′ – NFO 0-2 MUNStephen Railston
Fred and Pellistri are coming
More changes will be made.
66′ – NFO 0-2 MUNStephen Railston
An excellent result
Having a two-goal lead going into the second leg at Old Trafford is huge and it certainly feels like United already have one hand in the final at Wembley, which is likely to be against Newcastle.
64′ – NFO 0-2 MUNStephen Railston
Lingard is coming
Jesse Lingard plays and he was applauded by United fans as he took the field
63′ – NFO 0-2 MUNStephen Railston
OPPORTUNITY!
Scarpa attempts a volley at the back post, but Wan-Bissaka blocks.
Defend well.
60′ – NFO 0-2 MUNStephen Railston
A rare mistake by Casemiro
Casemiro has his pocket squeezed on the edge of the box, but Gibbs-White’s shot is poor.
59′ – NFO 0-2 MUNStephen Railston
Rashford should be fine
A medical staff member reported to Rashford, but he sat back down and watched from the bench.
57′ – NFO 0-2 MUNStephen Railston
Rashford comes loose
Rashford OUT.
Garnacho ON.
55′ – NFO 0-2 MUNStephen Railston
Garnacho is coming
The first chance of the match will be made.
53′ – NFO 0-2 MUNStephen Railston
Eriksen hits the bar
Another chance for United, as Eriksen hits the crossbar with a curling.
52′ – NFO 0-2 MUNStephen Railston
OPPORTUNITY!
Danilo shoots from about 25 yards out, but he is easily picked up by De Gea.
51′ – NFO 0-2 MUNStephen Railston
Malacia with the overlap again
He was full of energy and just played a cross to Fernandes, who swept at the ball.
Good job from Rashford and Malacia on the left.
48′ – NFO 0-2 MUNStephen Railston
OPPORTUNITY!
A bet by Weghorst is blocked by McKenna, who slips late.
47′ – NFO 0-2 MUNStephen Railston
Garnacho sent to warm up
We could see the wing attacker sooner or later in this half.
Many predicted he would start tonight.
45′ – NFO 0-2 MUNStephen Railston
We’re on our way again
Here we go – no changes during the break.
HT – NFO 0-2 MUNStephen Railston
WATCH: Weghorst scores his first goal
HT – NFO 0-2 MUNStephen Railston
WATCH: Rashford scores the opener
HT – NFO 0-2 MUNSamuel Luchurst
Half-time assessments
And here are your interim reviews…
DeGea
One clear stop. 6
Wan-Bissaka
Little presence in the attack. 6
Lindelof
Reasonable returns so far. 6
Martinez
Key role in first goal. 7
Malacia
Careless. 5
Casemiro
Major role in second goal. 7
Eriksen
Still not at its best. 6
Anthony
Much better. 7
Fernandes
Could be better. 5
Rashford
Good goal but passing choice questionable. 7
awayhorst
Beautiful accents and a goal. 7
HT – NFO 0-2 MUNStephen Railston
PEACE!
That’s the whistle for the break.
45′ – NFO 0-2 MUNStephen Railston
Added two minutes
Almost half-time.
