MANCHESTER UNITED are determined to end their six year trophy drought this season – and they are on track to do just that.Marcus Rashford’s fantastic solo goal fired the visitors ahead early doors.
And Wout Weghorst doubled United’s lead before Bruno Fernandes rounded off a rampant display over Nottingham Forest in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.
RESULT: Nott’m Forest 0-3 Man Utd
Live stream: NOW TV
TV channel: Sky Sports Main Event
Nott’m Forest XI: Hennessey; Aurier, Worrall, McKenna, Lodi; Danilo, Freuler, Gibbs-White; Scarpa; Surridge, Johnson
Man Utd XI: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Martinez, Malacia; Eriksen, Casemiro; Antony, Weghorst, Rashford
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Cooper left reeling what could have been
Sam Surridge’s disallowed goal ended up being a pivotal moment of this semi-final.
It was poor play by the striker to drift into an offside position when he had so much space and could see right across the United line.
Had the goal stood, this could have been a completely different evening for those who packed out the City Ground.
Instead, it is the travelling Man Utd fans who will party long into the night.
United look to regain winning mentality
With the FA Cup looming this weekend, followed by the second-leg of the EFL Cup, ten Hag’s side have a run of very winnable games.
Only Crystal Palace and Arsenal were able dent their confidence by taking points off them in their last two league games.
United now have a chance to put those dropped points behind them.
Portu-geezer hits hundred club
Bruno Fernandes’ goal this evening was his 100th goal involvement in a Man Utd shirt.
He has become an integral part of ten Hag’s side with the trio of Fernandes, Eriksen and Casemiro really gelling.
Their games compliment one another, as you can see by the ground covered by United’s playmaker this evening.
FT: Nottingham Forest 0-3 Man Utd
The United fans celebrate their victory as they can now dream of that trip to Wembley.
Not many bookies will be giving odds on a 4-0 Forest win at Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag’s side have won this evening without even getting out of second gear.
FT: Nottingham Forest 0-3 Man Utd
The referee brings the game to a close.
Solid performance from the Red Devils.
Bouncing back from two disappointing league results.
Nottingham Forest 0-3 Man Utd
90+2. Lisandro Martinez is awarded the man of the match award.
The away fans sing ‘We’re going to Wembley’.
Forest fans flock from the ground as the home end looks like there has been a fire-drill.
Credit: Getty
Nottingham Forest 0-3 Man Utd
90. That could be the end of the EFL Cup for Forest.
Fernandes catches the ball on the half volley from the edge of the box, giving Hennessey no time to react as it goes through a defender’s legs.
The away fans can start planning for a trip to Wembley now.
We are going to have three additional minutes added.
Goal – Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd)
Nottingham Forest 0-2 Man Utd
88. Erik ten Hag will take this result.
A comfortable away win in the first leg of the semi-final.
Pellistri almost makes it three but Hennessey manages to save at the second attempt.
Nottingham Forest 0-2 Man Utd
86. Anthony Elanga comes on for Wout Weghorst.
The Dutch striker will be pleased with his performance tonight, grabbing his first United goal in the process.
Lingard plays a long ball towards Dennis but Lindelof deals with the situation well.
Credit: Getty
Nottingham Forest 0-2 Man Utd
84. Forest seem to be running out of ideas now.
Resorting to long balls hoping for something to happen.
It nearly does as Pellistri passes the ball straight to Dennis but the striker wastes the chance, losing the ball too easily.
The youngster is shown a yellow card for a foul on the edge of the United box.
Chance for Forest now.
Nottingham Forest 0-2 Man Utd
82. Forest come forward looking to try and make something happen.
Credit where it is due, United’s defence is keeping them at bay.
Johnson is unable to bring the ball under his control and it is cleared.
Nottingham Forest 0-2 Man Utd
80. Direct crossfield ball looking for Pellistri, gives the youngster a yard on his marker.
He whips in an inviting cross for Weghorst.
The Dutchman cannot get enough on its as his glancing header goes nearer to the corner flag than the goal.
Nottingham Forest 0-2 Man Utd
78. Other than that Emery might just fancy a night out with the lads.
The atmosphere is slowly dipping from the home fans.
However, United’s fans can be heard from the away end.
Nottingham Forest 0-2 Man Utd
76. Unai Emery is spotted in the crowd.
His Villa side are playing neither of these teams in the near future.
The Spaniard could potentially be scouting some new signings.
Credit: AFP
Nottingham Forest 0-2 Man Utd
74. That could be a big loss for Forest not just in this game but the season in general.
Gibbs-White was really finding some form of late.
The hosts need at least a goal to still be in this tie when they travel to Old Trafford for the second leg.
Nottingham Forest 0-2 Man Utd
72. Commentator’s curse there.
Christian Eriksen is immediately replaced by Fred.
Antony comes off for Pellistri.
Gibbs-White is distraught as he is forced off due to injury.
He is replaced by Lewis O’Brien.
Lodi comes off for Neco Williams
Nottingham Forest 0-2 Man Utd
70. Christian Eriksen is causing the Forest midfield all sorts of problems with his movement into pockets of space.
His delivery is as spot on as ever and he looks the most likely creator of a Man Utd third goal.
Solid performance by the Dane.
Nottingham Forest 0-2 Man Utd
68. United win another corner which Eriksen comes to take.
They try a training ground move but Martinez is penalised for a foul.
Forest are running out of time, they need to throw caution to the wind more now.
Nottingham Forest 0-2 Man Utd
66. Garnacho does well to chase down a lost cause and keep the ball in play.
He lays it off to Eriksen who clips a ball into the box looking for Weghorst.
The Dutch striker is inches from a telling touch.
Credit: Reuters
Nottingham Forest 0-2 Man Utd
64. Aurier floats a ball towards the back post towards Scarpa.
Wan-Bissaka manages to get there to block the effort.
Good defending as that was looking like it was going to trouble David de Gea’s goal.
Jesse Lingard comes on for Scarpa.
Surridge is replaced by Emanuel Dennis.
Nottingham Forest 0-2 Man Utd
62. Garnacho makes a break down the left but cannot keep the ball in play.
He boots the ball away much to the annoyance of the Forest fans.
There was a time where that was a straight yellow card, who knows now, the rules seem to change every week.
Nottingham Forest 0-2 Man Utd
60. United are passing the ball around, making Forest chase shadows up top.
The tactic will surely take the fuel out of the tank of hosts’ forward line.
Gibbs-White shoots from distance again with the ball just going over the crossbar.
Nottingham Forest 0-2 Man Utd
58. Marcus Rashford comes off for Alejandro Garnacho.
ten Hag taking no chances with his in-form forward.
Chance for the youngster to showcase his skills.
Danilo comes off for Jack Colback for Forest.
Credit: Getty
Nottingham Forest 0-2 Man Utd
56. Rashford has gone to ground and not got back up.
Worry sight for any Man Utd fan.
Forest counter and Gibbs-White gets a shot away but again de Gea is equal to it.
Rashford is back to his feet clutching his ribs.
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