Manchester United have one foot in the Carabao Cup final thanks to a 3-0 away victory against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday. The two teams will meet again in a week to decide who will face either Newcastle or Southampton for the first trophy of the season.
Despite being in the bottom half of the Premier League table, Forest have actually been very solid at home. In fact, they had not lost a match at City Ground since September entering Wednesday. Forest previously beat Liverpool and finished level with Chelsea during this stretch. However, this changed on Wednesday evening.
Rashford’s hot streak rolls as United beat Forest in Carabao Cup
Marcus Rashford continued his fine form with a goal inside six minutes in the match. The England international picked up the ball in his own half, dribbled through the Forest defense, and emphatically put a shot passed Wayne Hennessey. As impressive as the run was, the hosts were very hospitable. Nevertheless, It was Rashford’s 10th goal in as many games since the World Cup ended.
Forest thought they leveled the scoreline about 15 minutes later. Morgan Gibbs-White slid a pass to Sam Surridge, who neatly slotted a shot by David de Gea. However, the forward was inches offside when he received the ball from Gibbs-White. The goal was disallowed following an intervention by VAR.
Dutchman grabs first goal for club
Wout Weghorst then doubled United’s lead at the edge of halftime. The Netherlands international pounced on a loose ball in the box to score his first goal for the club. Antony sent in a powerful shot straight at Hennessey and Weghorst was the quickest to react to the rebound.
After a dull second half that United stymied, Bruno Fernandes put the game to bed with a goal in the 89th minute. Substitute Anthony Elanga found the midfielder at the top of the box and Fernandes finished it off. It was the Portugal international’s sixth goal of the current campaign.
United will now just need to keep Forest in check at Old Trafford to make the Carabao Cup Final in February.
PHOTO: IMAGO / PA Images
