Manchester United moved to within the final stages of qualifying within a few steps of advancing to finals of the Carabao Cup final after beating Nottingham Forest 3-0 at the City Ground on Wednesday in the opening part in their semi-final.
United scored at the start and the final minutes of the half to take control. Marcus Rashford netting a solo goal to keep his red-hot form, and Wout Weghorst scoring a straightforward rebound to score his first goal following his loan move from Burnley.
Forest who are aiming for to make their debut League Cup final appearance since 1992, provided a solid defense but could not take advantage of a number of promising opportunities. The 89th minute strike by Bruno Fernandes means next week’s match against Old Trafford is surely no more than a matter of courtesy in order for Man United to secure a visit to Wembley.
“I’m happy with the performance, over 90 minutes we controlled the game,” United coach Erik ten Hag told. “There was a moment that would have changed the outcome and we need to be aware of it and make improvements.
Ten Hag’s desire to maximize an opportunity to win a trophy during the first season he was in charge in charge at Old Trafford was evident in an equally strong team that featured Casemiro back from the suspension he received during last Sunday’s Premier League defeat to Arsenal.
It took only 6 minutes to allow the hosts to take the lead and Rashford yet again hitting the goal. The goal this time was the England forward’s responsibility when he drove forward on the left side from within his own area before entering the area between two Forest defenses before firing on the far post with the left side of his foot.
The goal was his 10th in his 10 match since winning his participation in the World Cup, the most by any player from the top five leagues of Europe.
“I am happy with Marcus’ performance and his development,” Ten Hag stated. “From the beginning of the season, he’s improving and he continues to do so.
“We have to keep his process going and if he is in that mood and spirit I think he is unstoppable. It is up to the team to get him in the rigjht positions.”
However, Forest were not deterred by the early mistake and on numerous occasions, they came within striking distance of scoring an equaliser. Brennan Johnson’s speed proved a constant threat for the United defense and allowed him to get a low save from David de Gea and later pushing over the bar after his composure waned after the final.
The hosts thought they’d scored at the end of 23 minutes after the lightning break resulted in Sam Surridge finding the net but a VAR inspection determined that he was offside.
Just before half-time, United grabbed a potentially crucial goal. Antony who had experienced a missed chance and then forced Forest goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey to block his excellently struck volley, which allowed Weghorst the chance to make it into the door to his United account.
It was the same in the second period. United were near to making it 3-0 after Christian Eriksen curled a first-time shot over the crossbar. On the other hand, Forest were again left to regret a lack of skill when the dynamic Morgan Gibbs-White shot wildly off the mark after he won the ball in front of the goal.
Fernandes his late strike, striking low from inside the box maybe cruel to Forest But it will result in Man United head to Wembley in search of their first major trophy in six years.
“Obviously, it was a disappointing scoreline,” Forest coach Steve Cooper said. “The most important thing you don’t would like to do is go into Old Trafford with this result.
“Obviously, Rashford is one of the in-form players in the country, but for us to allow him to do what he did is not good enough.”
Newcastle United won 1-0 at Southampton in the opening game of the second semifinal.
Information obtained from Reuters was utilized to create this story.
