Manchester United have one foot in next month’s Carabao Cup final after Erik ten Hag’s men came away from the first leg against Nottingham Forest with a 3-0 aggregate lead.
Erik ten Hag named a strong side, with just three changes made from the team that narrowly lost at Arsenal last weekend. Marcus Rashford opened the scoring after just six minutes with a stunning solo goal before Wout Weghorst’s maiden goal for the Reds gave United a two-goal advantage at half-time.
It looked like United were settling for a two-goal cushion going into the return leg at Old Trafford next week but Bruno Fernandes scored what should be the killer blow in the dying moments.
Man United Player Ratings
David de Gea – 6
Made one good save in the first half but generally had very little to do.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 7
Solid performance again from the 25-year-old.
Victor Lindelof – 8
A nervous start to the game but grew into it and ended the game in solid fashion.
Lisandro Martinez – 10
Flawless performance from the Argentine – what a signing he has been.
Tyrell Malacia – 7
Like his full-back counterpart, a solid performance.
Casemiro – 7
Back in the team after serving a one-match suspension. Rolls Royce.
Christian Eriksen – 7
Surprising inclusion as he has looked fatigued recently but he didn’t show any signs of that tonight.
Bruno Fernandes – 8
His goalscoring form continues and according to OptaJoe, that 89th-minute strike was his 100th goal involvement since making his debut less than three years ago. Stunning.
Antony – 7
Missed one golden chance in the first half and yes, he is still frustrating at times but he is integral to United’s attacking structure and is doing all the right things off the ball. A big improvement on the ball as well.
Marcus Rashford – 8
Absolutely fearless right now. His 18th goal of the season. United will be praying he commits his long-term future sooner rather than later.
Wout Weghorst – 9
His big breakthrough, what a performance to announce yourself as a United player. A textbook forward’s performance.
Those ratings are nonsense and I’m a united fan. Great result but opposition were really poor. Midfield were a bit sloppy. Weghorst did well, as he did against arsenal but a 9 😮 nonsense
De Gega has tobe far more authoritative in choosing when to play out from the back. This Constance playing out from the back is going to cost us.Nottingham Forest should have taken advantage of this pattern of play. Wan Bissaka poorest game since regaining right back birth. Yet look at last night game, yes as a team we want to press high. But though out the game. Being court each time Nottingham Forest break on that right side, at times particularly in second half struggled with recovery running. Started to look like Trent and you know how that is working or not for him.(Trent Alexandra). Bruno went missing for the best part of 20mins in second half. Stop the histrionic, jestures to team mates to referee’s more so team mates. Antony please go past a fullback please get down the side and cross the ball. We now have a Center forward that will get on the end of crosses given the opportunity. Erickson looked tired let’s see if rested for FA cup Reading. Playing as we did last night the overall performance should’ve been punished by Forest so we got a way one. Erick Ten Hag is showing that he is more than capable of managing United. He’s a good manager time will tell if he’s a great manager but within that great managers need and make. There own luck. Ten Hag has that lucky sign over him.