Manchester United 3, Nottingham Forest 0
Goals by Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, and Fred helped Manchester United beat Nottingham Forest and go within a point of the Premier League top four.
PLAYER RATINGS – Manchester United 3, Nottingham Forest 0
David De Gea 7. Not much to do but had to be alert – Willy Boly’s goal was offside after a VAR check and he did a double save including a backheeled effort from Brennan Johnson.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka: 7. Took up advanced role on the right.
Raphael Varane: 7. Got to a cross before Taiwo Awoniyi and battled on
Luke Shaw: 7. Unfamiliar defensive job but did it well enough.
Tyrell Malacia: 7. Advanced role on left flank, forced Wayne Hennessey into a save early on against his post.
Casemiro: 9. Protected the back four and dropped into it when needed as players pushed up. Broke up the Forest attack from the left back position and started the move that ended with Anthony Martial’s goal. Tried to chip Wayne Hennessey but the Welsh goalkeeper thwarted him and great anticipation to stop most things. Set up United’s third goal after winning the loose ball after Nottingham Forest tried to break late on.
Bruno Fernandes: 7. Hit side netting with a second half shot, set up Antony for a great chance which the Brazilian didn’t take.
Christian Eriksen: 7. Cleverly set up United’s opening goal with a pre-planned corner and kept the ball moving.
Antony: 6. Waterlogged pitch curtailed his fun and was comprehensively outmuscled by Taiwo Awoniyi as he rampaged up to provide a chance for Ryan Yates. Curled the ball beyond the far post from 20 yards and saw his second half shot saved by Wayne Hennessey.
Marcus Rashford: 8. Great movement to turn Christian Eriksen’s corner home from 12 yards out, and also set up Anthony Martial’s goal. Had a second half shot saved by the feet of Wayne Hannessey.
Anthony Martial: 7. His finish from just inside the area squirmed out of Wayne Hennessey’s grasp to roll over the line. Saw a great chance to get a second saved by the legs of Hennessey in the second half.
Alejandro Garnacho (on for Antony, 65): 6. Started a great move for United and soon had the fans on their feet as he troubled the Nottingham Forest defence down the United left flank.
Donny van de Beek (on for Anthony Martial, 64): 6. Set up Marcus Rashford for a shot which was saved. Had a shot of his own blocked later.
Fred (on for Christian Eriksen, 77): No time to mark. Scored great third goal for United after another interception by Casemiro.
Harry Maguire (on for Raphael Varane, 77): Big cheers as he came on.
Anthony Elanga (on for Marcus Rashford, 86): No time to mark.
Embed from Getty ImagesGOALS – Manchester United 3, Nottingham Forest 0
Man Utd 1, Nottingham Forest 0: 19. Marcus Rashford lost his marker Willy Boly and turned Christian Eriksen’s corner home from 12 yards out after making a swift move to meet the Dane’s pulled back corner.
Man Utd 2, Nottingham Forest 0: 22. Anthony Martial’s low drive from 17 yards out was too hot to handle for Waye Hennessey after he met Marcus Rashford’s square ball from the left following a quick break by United.
Man Utd 3, Nottingham Forest 0: 87. Fred stroked the ball home after Casemiro anticipated and won the ball as Nottingham Forest tried to break and found his Brazil team mate with a great incisive pass.
MATCH STATS – Manchester United 3, Nottingham Forest 0
Man Utd: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Shaw, Malacia, Casemiro, Fernandes, Eriksen, Antony (Garnacho 65), Rashford (Elanga 86), Martial (van de Beek 64)
Man Utd Subs not used: Heaton, Maguire, Fred, Williams, Iqbal, Bennett
Booked: Malacia 28 (foul on Serge Aurier); Eriksen 75 (foul on Ryan Yates); Garnacho 83
Goals: Rashford 19; Martial 22
Nottingham Forest: Hennessey, Aurier (Williams 74), Worrall, Boly, Lodi (Toffolo 62), Yates, Freuler, Mangala (Dennis 62), Johnson, Lingard (O’Brien 53), Awoniyi (Surridge 62)
Nottingham Forest Subs not used: Smith, S Cook, Colback, McKenna
Booked: Mangala 29 (shirt pull on Marcus Rashford)
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Attendance: 73,608.