How Manchester United beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 in Carabao ...
Michael Dominski
January 25, 2023 at 5:25 PM EST
Manchester United eased by Nottingham Forest in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final, taking back a 3-0 advantage to Old Trafford for next week's second leg.
Marcus Rashford opened the scoring for United in the sixth minute, collecting the ball in his own half and slicing through the Forest defence before firing home.
Steve Cooper's side appeared to have equalised in the 23rd minute after Sam Surridge finished off a sweet counter-attacking move, but VAR disallowed the goal for a tight offside.
Erik ten Hag's men doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time, as Wout Weghorst slammed home a rebound for his first goal in a United shirt.
Chances were less common in the second half as United looked to shut the game down. Second-half substitute Jesse Lingard was unable to make an impression against his former club.
Bruno Fernandes scored the visitors' third goal in the 89th minute, moving them closer to reaching their first final since 2017.
(Photo: Getty Images)
January 25, 2023 at 5:25 PM EST
Cooper's post-match thoughtsSteve Cooper spoke to beIN Sports after the loss about his disappointment in the goals his team conceded:
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
January 25, 2023 at 5:21 PM EST
Weghorst on his first United goalWout Weghorst spoke to Sky Sports after the victory: "A great night for us. A great result and of course after this first match, victory is a really good chance to get to the final."
On scoring his first goal for his new team: "It's always special and you want to score goals. You prefer to have this first one as quick as possible so I was really happy. I think it was an important moment also. It gave us a good feeling at the break.
"We started well and had a great goal. We didn't have the control like we wanted it and made it too much up and down after. We were lucky their goal was disallowed, then to make it 2-0 before half-time was important.
"I just turned to the goal hoping for a rebound and it came exactly like this. It was nice.
"We were not happy with the way we had played in the first half, we wanted more control. That's something we did in the second half and with the 3-0 at the end it made it even better.
"It's a great result for us tonight, let's finish it next week."
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
January 25, 2023 at 5:16 PM EST
Martinez: 'We have to play always like this'Lisandro Martínez spoke to Sky Sports following the win: "I'm really happy with the job from the guys. We played so good today and we controlled the game. We lost the last game so we had to produce now and as a team we did.
"We know (Forest) is doing a really good job but we never gave up. Today we won the game and that's the most important thing.
"You can see when we do the right things we don't concede goals. We controlled the game but we still have many things to improve on and we have to keep going.
"I'm really happy because we showed discipline and I saw the whole game we were pretty focused. We have to play always like this, keep going and keep fighting.
"We know it's a good result for us but we have to take it step by step."
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
January 25, 2023 at 5:13 PM EST
Manchester United vs Newcastle United?If both Newcastle and Manchester United hold on in their second legs after winning their first matches, we'll be set for a cracking final.
Discounting the Community Shield, the two teams have met just once before in a cup final: the 1999 FA Cup, won 2-0 by Manchester United at Wembley.
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
3 - This is the just the third season of the League Cup to see both semi-final first legs won by the away team, after 1972-73 and 1992-93. Rarity. #NFOMUN
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 25, 2023January 25, 2023 at 5:05 PM EST
Milestone for FernandesBruno Fernandes has been Manchester United's most consistent performer for some matter of time now:
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
100 - Bruno Fernandes' goal was his 100th goal involvement for Manchester United in all competitions (56 goals, 44 assists), in his 155th appearance for the club. Silenzio. #NFOMUN
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 25, 2023January 25, 2023 at 5:02 PM EST
Fernandes goal - UK readersOur British readers can view Fernandes' goal here:
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
January 25, 2023 at 5:02 PM EST
Fernandes goal - US readersOur American readers can view Fernandes' goal here:
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
January 25, 2023 at 5:00 PM EST
United fans singing about WembleyAs Forest fans were leaving the ground following the third goal, United fans were singing a rendition of "Que Sera" about how they are off to Wembley.
Carl Anka·
Man Utd Correspondent
January 25, 2023 at 4:52 PM EST
FT: Nottingham Forest 0-3 Manchester UnitedA professional performance by United sees them take a three-goal lead back to Old Trafford for next week's second leg.
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
January 25, 2023 at 4:50 PM EST
Injury timeThree minutes are added on here.
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
January 25, 2023 at 4:48 PM EST
GOAL! United hit three!89' Nottingham Forest 0-3 Manchester United
Pellistri nearly gets in on goal twice in a matter of moments, before a loose ball comes out to Fernandes, who hits a powerful, low shot that beats Hennessey at the far post.
A three-goal lead should make the return leg at Old Trafford a formality.
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
January 25, 2023 at 4:45 PM EST
Final change for United86' Nottingham Forest 0-2 Manchester United
Elanga comes on for the second goalscorer, Weghorst. United have only made four subs but have used all three of their windows.
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
January 25, 2023 at 4:44 PM EST
Pellistri booked84' Nottingham Forest 0-2 Manchester United
Pellistri bodies Williams to the ground just on the edge of the box, near the touchline. The home supporters shout for a penalty but replays show it was the right call. Pellistri is booked though.
Williams sends the ensuing free kick into the box, but United clear the danger rather easily.
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
January 25, 2023 at 4:38 PM EST
Pellistri looks for Weghorst79' Nottingham Forest 0-2 Manchester United
A long ball over the top releases Pellistri on the right side. He eludes his defender with a quick shift of his feet and whips the ball into the box for Weghorst, who can't quite corral a shot on target. Bright play by the youngster though.
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
January 25, 2023 at 4:37 PM EST
United playing keep away78' Nottingham Forest 0-2 Manchester United
Seemingly content to return home with a two-goal advantage, United are deliberately holding onto possession and making Forest chase them around the pitch.
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
January 25, 2023 at 4:33 PM EST
Half-chance for Lingard74' Nottingham Forest 0-2 Manchester United
Williams floats a ball into the box where Lingard meets it with his head, but without any pace on the ball Lingard can't get any power on his effort.
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
January 25, 2023 at 4:32 PM EST
Double change for Forest73' Nottingham Forest 0-2 Manchester United
Steve Cooper makes his final two subs, bringing on O'Brien for Gibbs-White and Williams for Lodi.
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
January 25, 2023 at 4:31 PM EST
Double change for United71' Nottingham Forest 0-2 Manchester United
Eriksen and Antony come off, replaced by Fred and Pellistri. The 21-year-old Pellistri is making just his second appearance in a United shirt.
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
January 25, 2023 at 4:23 PM EST
Lingard comes on against former club64' Nottingham Forest 0-2 Manchester United
Lingard and Dennis come on, replacing Scarpa and Surridge.
This is the second time Lingard has faced his former team, after Forest's 3-0 loss in the Premier League last month.
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
January 25, 2023 at 4:22 PM EST
Wan-Bissaka with big block63' Nottingham Forest 0-2 Manchester United
Forest are continuing to put United's defence under pressure. This time it's Scarpa hitting a volley that Wan-Bissaka crucially gets in the way of.
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
Michael Oliver (referee)
Stuart Burt (assistant)
Simon Bennett (assistant)
Simon Hooper (fourth)
