N Forest 0 – 3 Man Utd

Manchester United took total control of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest with a 3-0 win in the first leg at The City Ground.

Marcus Rashford’s stunning solo goal opened the scoring before Wout Weghorst’s first goal in a United shirt followed by Bruno Fernandes’ late third put Erik ten Hag’s team in a commanding position ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford.

Forest competed throughout on a noisy night by the Trent and thought they had an equaliser in the first half only for Sam Surridge’s attempt to be ruled out for offside. But it was the United supporters singing of Wembley and dreaming of ending their six-year wait for a trophy.

How United won on the night

Both sets of supporters made for a boisterous atmosphere, the sniff of silverware enough to excite everyone after years of Manchester City and Liverpool dominating this competition. But it did not take long for United to assert themselves thanks to the in-form Rashford.

He had already had a couple of early opportunities to run at the Forest defence but he saved his most spectacular work for the build-up to the opening goal, gliding beyond Remo Freuler and Joe Worrall from deep, riding the ricochets and finishing with his left foot.

It is now 10 goals in 10 games for Rashford and even the decision to run at the defence with such purpose speaks volumes for the England forward’s confidence right now. Forest had to regroup and the night might have been different had the next big call gone their way.

Rashford’s loose pass allowed Morgan Gibbs-White to break and it seemed as if his pass to Surridge had been expertly timed for the forward to caress the ball into the far corner of David de Gea’s net. The replays showed that Surridge was just offside.

Forest’s push for an equaliser had the crowd up, Gustavo Scarpa’s wicked volley forcing a smart save and Brennan Johnson looking dangerous in the right channel. But Weghorst’s goal just before half-time tested the belief of even the most fervent of Forest fans.

Wayne Hennessey, deputising for Dean Henderson, saved the first attempt from Antony but could only push the ball into the path of Weghorst who did well to keep the ball down in beating the goalkeeper. The Dutchman deserved it for his intelligent performance.

His hold-up play was superb, making those around him better by encouraging them to follow their passes in the knowledge that he will find them. The third was coming, Christian Eriksen striking the frame of the goal, but it was Fernandes who found it.

His low strike from just inside the box late in the game gives Forest some clarity. Their thoughts will soon turn to staying in the Premier League. For United, the prospect of a final against Newcastle or Southampton offers the chance to end that trophy drought.

United’s win in stats

• Manchester United are the first side ever to win eight consecutive meetings with Nottingham Forest in all competitions.
• Nottingham Forest lost a League Cup semi-final game for the very first time, in what was their 13th match at this stage of the competition.
• Nottingham Forest suffered their first defeat at the City Ground since September, ending a run of eight home games without a loss in all competitions.
• Marcus Rashford has scored 10 goals in 10 games for Manchester United in all competitions since the 2022 World Cup finished, the most of any player for clubs in Europe’s big-five leagues in this time.
• Rashford has scored 18 goals in all club competitions this season; only Erling Haaland (31) has netted more for a Premier League club.
• Wout Weghorst was the first player to score his first competitive goal for Manchester United in the League Cup since Andreas Pereira against Ipswich in September 2015.
• Bruno Fernandes registered his 100th goal involvement for Manchester United in all competitions, scoring 56 and assisting 44.

What’s next?

Nottingham Forest are already out of the FA Cup so have a free weekend. As a result, their next game is the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at Manchester United on Wednesday, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 8pm.

Forest then host Leeds in the Premier League on Sunday February 5, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 2pm.

Manchester United are next in action on Saturday when they host Reading in the FA Cup; kick-off 8pm.

Erik ten Hag’s side then host Forest at Old Trafford on Wednesday, with a place in the Carabao Cup final on the line.