Manchester United cruise past Nottingham Forest during a 3-0 thumping, courtesy to goals by Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Fred Rodriguez.
The hosts where hoping to continue with their home form in project restart against Nottingham. United last tasted a home defeat in the opening fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion back in August, as reported by United Radar.
First-half
Manchester United enjoyed a spell of possession in the opening stages. Luke Shaw was deployed at center-back in a bid to remedy the absence of Lisandro Martinez.
On the nineteenth minute, Christian Eriksen served Marcus Rashford with a pass from a corner. The Englishman strucked the ball past Wayne Hennessey to give the home side the lead.
No doubt the goal had been worked out at the training ground. The timing of Rashford was of the utmost perfection.
Three minutes later, Manchester United broke on counter attack. Once again, Rashford came to the party when he sprinted from the left.
The 25-year-old served Martial with a cute pass in the middle, and the latter blasted his shot past Hennessey. The shot squirmed through the keeper’s soft hands.
After half an hour, the hosts were in complete dominance when the midfield trio of Casemiro, Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes flicked passes in the opposition half.
On the 32nd minute, Nottingham came close to scoring when Ryan Yates blasted a shot from outside the box, only for David de Gea to make a comfortable save with his chest.
Six minutes later, Antony Santos tried to get involved in the game when he curled the ball towards the top left corner but his effort was well off target.
The visitors scored from a free-kick through Yates who headed passed de Gea. The goal disallowed for offside after a long VAR check. Ryan’s header had blushed off Willy Boly who was offside.
First-half finished at 2-0 to Manchester United having dominated large parts the match.
Second-half – Man Utd 3-0 Nottingham Forest
Forest started the second-half brightly. However, United took the game over through counter attack. Bruno sprinted from the right side only to ripple the side netting.
On the 49th minute, Orel Mangala hit the side netting following a low pass from Serge Aurier. Nottingham slightly improved in the opening phase of the second-half.
The former Manchester United forward, Jesse Lingard went down in what looked like a minor injury. He limped off the pitch in dismay, and Old Trafford applauded the Englishman.
Once again, Hennessey was forced into action when Fernandes found Martial on the left only for the Frenchman to be denied by the goalkeeper.
Manchester United continued to enjoy large spells of possession and pure dominance throughout the proceedings.
Rashford served Antony with an assist after exchanging passes with Eriksen. Unfortunately, the Brazillian missed a glorious opportunity when he blasted straight into the path of the goalkeeper. Eriksen strucked well off target from the follow-up.
Alejandro Garnacho and Donny Van de Beek flicked passes elegantly before the latter served Rashford on the platter. Marcus strucked straight into the legs of Hennessey.
On the 87th minute, Casemiro stole the ball following poor passing from the visitors. The Brazillian served Fred with a beautifully placed pass, and the latter curled the ball past the goalkeeper to make it 3-0.
The match finished at 3-0 to Manchester United. The home side was no doubt the better team throughout the proceedings, and the scoreline was fully merited.
Casemiro was crowned man of the match
Casemiro was crowned man of the match shortly after full-time whistle. Although Rashford came pretty close, the Brazillian was by far the outstanding performer.
According to Goal, Ten Hag praised Casemiro: “We needed a no.6. It is one of the decisions we made in our analysis before the season.”
“We have the perfect one, we are happy with him. He has showed a lot of leadership and football skills. He is keeping the team together.”
“He is also so important in our ball playing. Winning the ball and giving the ball to the right player, like he did with the third goal.”
(Man Utd 3-0 Nottingham Forest).
