Manchester United 3-0 Nottingham Forest: Marcus Rashford on target as Erik ten Hag’s side maintain good form

Goals from Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Fred gave Manchester United all three points against Nottingham Forest.

The 3-0 win means Erik Ten Hag’s side now sit just one point off fourth-placed Spurs with a game in hand.

Manchester United started the game with a great intensity, looking to get at Forest down the flanks from the off.

After creating a couple of good opportunities, Ten Hag’s side found the breakthrough after 19 minutes with a goal straight off the training ground. Christian Eriksen fired a corner across the turf to the middle of the area where Marcus Rashford was on hand to smash it home first time.

United went 2-0 up just three minutes later, and this time Rashford turned provider, chopping inside from the left before laying it off to Martial who squeezed his effort past Wayne Hennessey.

Forest thought they had one back five minutes from half-time as Ryan Yates headed home, but a VAR check confirmed the ball took the slightest of touches off an offside Wily Boly.

United had numerous chances to kill the game off in the second-half but just lacked the required ruthlessness in the final third.

Antony fired straight at Wayne Hennessey with a chance that he really should have scored, and just moments later Anthony Martial saw an effort saved by the busy Hennessey.

It was more of the same thereafter for United who continually managed to get in behind Forest’s backline but struggled to make Steve Cooper’s side pay.

Nottingham Forest tried to get forward when they could but failed to really make David de Gea work and the threat of United on the counter deterred Forest from going forward further.

United finally got their third goal late in the game though, Casemiro played a sensational pass into Fred who fired past Hennessey to make it 3-0 and wrap up all three points for the Red Devils.

TALKING POINT – MOMENTUM

It was important for Ten Hag that his side picked up where they left off before the FIFA World Cup and maintained their momentum. Since losing to Manchester City at the beginning of October, United have lost just one game in all competitions (3-1 v Aston Villa). Today was all about keeping this fantastic run going especially as they go into a very busy period where they will play four games in 11 days across three different competitions.

On another day United could have had six or seven goals but ultimately ended the match with a 3-0 win and three points. If they are to continue making a push for the UEFA Champions League places, they will need to keep firing to keep this momentum going.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – CASEMIRO (MANCHESTER UNITED)

The 30-year-old Brazilian midfielder was simply sensational today for Manchester United. Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes put in really good performances but Casemiro was the cream of the crop. He was everywhere for United, putting in tackles, making interceptions, blocking shots and winning duels. On the ball he was superb too, playing three key passes and getting himself an assist with a beautiful ball to Fred for Man United’s third on the evening. He was a joy to watch.

PLAYER RATINGS

Manchester United

De Gea 7, Wan-Bissaka 7, Varane 7, Shaw 7, Malacia 7, Casemiro 9, Eriksen 7, Antony 5, Fernandes 8, Martial 7, Rashford 8

Subs: Maguire 7, Fred 7, Garnacho 6, Van de Beek 6, Elanga N/A

Nottingham Forest

Hennessey 7, Lodi 6, Boly 6, Worrall 7, Aurier 6, Mangala 6, Freuler 6, Yates 6, Johnson 6, Lingard 6, Awoniyi 6

Subs: Toffolo 6, Surridge 6, Dennis 6, O’Brien 6, Williams 6

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

19′ GOAL – MANCHESTER UNITED A superb set-piece straight from the training ground! Christian Eriksen hooks a corner across the floor into the path of Marcus Rashford who thumps it home first time. A brilliant corner routine.

22′ GOAL – MANCHESTER UNITED Anthony Martial makes it 2-0! Superb work from Marcus Rashford who bursts down the left hand side, chops inside before laying off Martial who squeezes it past Hennessey.

43′ NO GOAL VAR rules out Nottingham Forest’s goal for offside. Yates’ effort came off Boly last who was offside.

55′ HUGE CHANCE That should be 3-0 and game over. Marcus Rashford finds Bruno Fernandes who lays it off to Antony who hits it straight at Hennessey. He has to do better there.

58′ CHANCE! Bruno Fernandes feeds Anthony Martial but the French forward sees his effort saved by Hennessey. Another fantastic pass from Fernandes who could have had two assists tonight.

87′ GOAL – MANCHESTER UNITED They finally have their third goal! Casemiro finds Fred with a superb pass and Fred does the rest, thumping home past Hennessey to put United 3-0 up.

KEY STAT

Nottingham Forest have scored just one goal away from home all season (Brennan Johnson v Everton – August).