Nottingham Forest 0-1 Manchester United: Casemiro heads in late header as Red Devils secure FA Cup quarter-final spot
Casemiro’s 89th-minute winner gave Manchester United a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest at the City Ground in the FA Cup on Wednesday night.
Antony hit the woodwork early, and Scott McTominay had two good chances, while Taiwo Awoniyi looked dangerous as Forest threatened on the break.
Both sides created chances in the second half but neither side had a cutting edge with the goalkeepers up to the task, and extra time loomed with a result needed to decide which team would face Liverpool in the next round.
For both teams they would not have wanted an extra half hour as United prepare for the Manchester derby and Forest are scheduled to host Liverpool this weekend.
It was United who forced the result when captain Bruno Fernandes’ dangerous cross was glanced in by Casemiro’s header for the winner.
Talking point – The pressure is off Ten Hag, but for how long?
A win for Manchester United sets them up with a quarter-final against Liverpool – a huge game.
If Ten Hag can end the season with a trophy and positive momentum, then the pressure is off, but if he loses heavily at the weekend at Manchester City then questions will be asked once more.
The FA Cup means more to United this season than it has done for some time.
Player of the Match – Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd)
Not at his best by any means, but his determined performance sent in countless shots and crosses. Eventually, one of them told.
Player Ratings
Nottingham Forest: Turner 6, Toffolo 6, Williams 6, Felipe 6, Murillo 6, Danilo 5, Yates 5, Origi 6, Gibbs-White 6, Elanga 6, Awoniyi 6. Subs: Hudson-Odoi 6, Reyna 6, Ribeiro 6.
Manchester United: Onana 7, Dalot 6, Amrabat 6, Varane 6, Lindelof 6, Fernandes 7, Casemiro 7, McTominay 7, Garnacho 6, Antony 5, Rashford 5. Subs: Evans 6, Amad 6, Mainoo 6.
Match Highlights
4’ – ANTONY HITS THE WOODWORK – He leans back to meet a pull-back and fires in a rising shot against the crossbar.
7’ – TURNER SAVE – McTominay has a header from seven yards out, from a Dalot cross, and it’s straight at Turner!
19’ – AWONIYI CHANCE – Amrabat loses possession and Awoniyi fires at goal, with Onana parrying the ball clear.
49’ – ONANA SAVE – Onana beats a shot away from the striker after Elanga slides him in down the middle.
52’ – ORIGI SHOT – He blasts an effort at goal in the box from the right-hand side, and Onana punches it away forcefully.
89′ – GOAL! FOREST 0-1 MAN UTD – CASEMIRO SCORES – A low, curling free kick from the left is met by Casemiro’s header and he gets it past Turner to put the home side ahead.
Key Stat
It was Casemiro’s first goal for his club since September.
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