Man United casually brushes aside Nottingham Forest

Manchester United put three goals into the Nottingham Forest net on Tuesday. It continues a run dating back to now six games of dominance in league play from United against the Tricky Trees.

Of course, this is Forest’s first time playing Manchester United in any competition since 1999, the side’s last time in the Premier League. However, looking back at the last six games between the two in league play after Tuesday, there is no contest. In those six games, Manchester United conceded two Nottingham Forest goals. Manchester United scored 27.

This result, 3-0 in the end, has more consequence on the modern league than it does on the historic rivalry between Forest and United. For the hosts, United now trails Tottenham Hotspur of fourth by just one point. Moreover, Erik ten Hag’s side has a game in hand over Spurs and a four-point cushion over its nearest rivals, Liverpool. For Nottingham Forest, the defeat dampens what was a strong 2022. The club earned promotion. However, it looks among the favorites to sink back down to the Championship. Forest is one point off the bottom of the table, even if it is one point from safety.

Marcus Rashford leads United to victory over Nottingham Forest

The difference maker in this game was Marcus Rashford, who rolled on with his scintillating form with a top notch goal and assist on the day. His opening goal in the 19th minute was the epitome of set play perfection. A corner laid 14 yards from goal on the ground had Rashford beat his defender to the ball. He then eased the ball into the top left corner of the goal past a helpless Wayne Hennessey.

The goal is Rashford’s team-leading fifth in the Premier League this season. Even if that may seem like a small total, four of those five are game-winning goals in the end. The only one that is not comes from his brace against Arsenal.

Rashford provided the playmaking ability on United’s second goal with a great run before setting up Anthony Martial. Wayne Hennessey will want the attempt back as it glanced off his hands and trickled into the net.

Forest thought it had a route back into the game as Ryan Yates found the back of the net. However, after a lengthy VAR check, the play was deemed offside as the ball glanced off Willy Boly’s knee on its way in.

Manchester United shut down any chance of a Nottingham Forest comeback in the second half. Then, with time winding down, Casemiro won back possession and slotted Fred through on goal. The Brazilian link up led to United’s third goal of the game.

The turn of the year

The Premier League is not quite to its halfway point this season. Still, the extremes at each end of the table continue to separate. Nottingham Forest has another game that may lead to trouble when it takes on Chelsea this upcoming weekend. The fixture after, against Southampton, is a massive one for the permutations at the bottom of the table.

For United, it must continue to pick up these results against lower teams to keep pace with the squads above. Newcastle United is showing no signs of slowing down, even if the club is surprising a number of people with its performances this campaign. While Manchester City and Arsenal seem a class above the rest, United is still well in control of a top-four finish under a first-year head coach. This is in spite of the controversies including potential club sale and the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.

United is in action next against Wolves, another side in the relegation zone, on New Year’s Eve.

PHOTO: IMAGO / Sportimage