Marcus Rashford scored a stunning solo goal as Manchester United beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final on Wednesday to almost book a place at Wembley next month.
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The Englishman, enjoying a post-World Cup purple patch, scored his 18th goal of the season in the sixth minute to silence an expectant crowd at the City Ground.
New United loan signing Wout Weghorst scored his first goal for the club just before half-time to put the visitors in total control, and Bruno Fernandes added the gloss to the final scoreline.
Erik ten Hag’s men are favorites to reach Wembley as they look to end a six-year trophy drought, with Newcastle or Southampton waiting.
“I’m happy with the performance and I think over 90 minutes we were in control,” Ten Hag told Sky Sports.
But he highlighted Forest’s disallowed goal in the first half, warning that his side cannot let their opponents back into the game when they are in charge.
The Dutchman is careful to avoid complacency ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford on February 1.
“We have to play one game and we have to do the same. We have to prepare, we have to make a good game plan and the players have to focus,” he said.
Former Ajax boss Ten Hag has reinvigorated United in his first season in charge but will be desperate to win silverware to please their hungry fans.
Brazil midfielder Casemiro returned to United’s starting line-up after being suspended for Sunday’s 3-2 Premier League defeat at leaders Arsenal, which left United fourth in the table.
Forest, with new boy Danilo in the starting line-up, come into the match full of confidence after just one defeat in their past seven Premier League games has lifted them to 13th in the table.
– Rashford hot streak –
But the visitors immediately took control and opened the scoring in style.
Rashford picked up the ball in his own half and raced down the left, slotting in between Joe Worrall and Remo Freuler before beating Wayne Hennessey at the near post with a powerful left-footed shot.
It was his 10th goal in 10 games since returning from Qatar last month.
Brazilian winger Antony made it 2-0 a minute later as United threatened to overtake the home side.
Forest, who have won the League Cup for the fourth time in their history, thought they had equalized midway through the first half when Sam Surridge produced a fine finish after a rampaging run through the middle by Morgan Gibbs-White.
But the goal was disallowed by VAR for a strict offside against Surridge.
Gustavo Scarpa stung David de Gea’s hand with an audacious volley as Forest increasingly came into the game, with Gibbs-White and Brennan Johnson a threat.
But United’s fifth-time champions doubled their lead before half-time, with Dutch striker Weghorst reacting smartly to fire wide with his right foot after Hennessey denied Antony.
United were largely untroubled in the second half, struggling to add to their lead when Christian Eriksen hit the crossbar from the corner of the box in the 54th minute.
The visitors continued to threaten and completed a thrilling night when Fernandes slotted home after a smart pass from substitute Anthony Elanga.
Newcastle, chasing their first domestic trophy since 1955, beat Southampton 1-0 on Tuesday in the first leg.