Man United a step closer to ending their six-year trophy drought with a win over Nottingham

Manchester United took a step closer to ending their six-year trophy drought with a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.

Erik ten Hag’s side will be hoping to silence a raucous home crowd on their first visit to the City Ground since a devastating 8-1 victory in February 1999. United did just that, and, as they did 24 years ago, the Red Devils took a crucial lead here within the first six minutes. Marcus Rashford, the man of the moment, ran from his own half and weaved his way through the defense to score for the ninth time in ten appearances.

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Between Joe Worrall and Remo Freuler, he cut inside and fired past Wayne Hennessey at the near post.

Lisandro Martínez’s game vs Nottingham Forest:

◉ Most touches (119)
◉ Most passes (103)
◉ Most tackles made (5)
◉ Most interceptions (2)
◎ 9 x possession won
◎ 8 duels won
◎ 6 passes into final ⅓
◎ 4 clearances
◎ 3 aerial duels won

Forest looked vulnerable after conceding so early, as if overwhelmed by the significance of the game. And the visitors almost ended the first leg of this Carabao Cup semi-final much sooner than they did, with Antony firing wide moments after the opening goal. United gradually eased off the gas pedal as the half progressed, and Steve Cooper’s men were on the verge of capitalizing when Sam Surridge finished off a lightning counter attack, only to be ruled offside by the tiniest of margins.

The hosts, perhaps inspired by the Forest side that last won the trophy in 1990 under Brian Clough, continued to improve, but the visitors did not.

Despite the chaos they were causing, the dynamic duo of Morgan Gibbs-White and Brennan Johnson failed to trouble David De Gea. That squandering would be punished on the stroke of halftime, when Wout Weghorst netted his first goal in United colors, cleverly turning home a rebound with the outside of his foot.

Christian Eriksen’s shot from the edge of the area hit the crossbar just after the restart, allowing United to extend their lead even further. The Dane’s influence grew as the game progressed, as United took the sting out of the game before landing a third and potentially fatal blow via Bruno Fernandes’ brilliantly-placed strike from the edge of the area.

The return leg now appears to be a formality for the Red Devils, who will be confident of defending a three-goal lead at Old Trafford, having not lost there in any competition since early September. Forest’s last away victory by three or more goals dates back to the club’s legendary title-winning season of 1977-78, so it will take an enormous effort to even take this tie the distance.