Rashford’s release put United a point away from the Champions League

Manchester United, Barça’s rivals in the Europa League playoffs to be held in February, continued to pulse the Premier League after the break caused by the World Cup dispute and achieved a clear 3-0 victory over Nottingham, penultimate classified, cementing him in fifth place and bringing him just one point behind the Champions League positions set by Tottenham.

Marcus Rashford continued his excellent World Cup form for England and was United’s custom in their first league game since Cristiano Ronaldo terminated his contract at the end of November. Last Wednesday the ‘red devils’ made their debut without their star, eliminating Bunrley, from Segunda, in the round of 16 of the League Cup (2-0).

Rashford then proved the class with his goal and now, in a new example of his extraordinary level, he opened the scoring and made it 2-0 with a spectacular counterattack in the first half.

In the 6th minute, winger Tyrell Malacia made it 1-0 when a rebound landed on him and his kick was cleared as far as Wayne Hennessey could with the help of the post. The Welsh goalkeeper started in place of Dean Henderson, who is currently out on loan at United.

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It was in a game of strategy that emerged from Erik ten Hag’s board that it was 1-0 in the 19th minute. Christian Eriksen took a low corner and Rashford, taking advantage of the parsimony of Nottingham’s defence, finished first into the net.

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But the English forward made sure to come out three minutes later on a 2-0 counter. He did everything well: from his excellent control of a long ball down the left flank to his cutback and assist to Anthony Martial, whose focused shot went into the net with the complicity of Hennessey, who was not enough ball deflection.

De Gea saves with his chest!

David De Gea, who was out of work, also earned his share of fame by chesting out a shot from Ryan Yates for a corner. Madrid’s goalkeeper panicked after a free kick was released, but VAR disallowed the goal for offside by central defender Willy Boly (39′).

Forest came out in the second half with more offensive vocation, pressing higher and pouring in two arrivals who had some danger against defending in United’s circumstances, with winger Luke Shaw playing in the middle against the loss by Victor Lindelöf at the last minute due to illness. .the absence of the unincorporated Lisandro Martínez after winning the World Cup and leaving Harry Maguire on the bench after coming off an injury. Raphäel Varane, just back from Qatar, started and was very solid.

Casemiro, another outstanding

United continued to produce showy football at times, with Casemiro also outstanding with cut and distribution, but 2-0 remained and Hennessey kept Forest at bay with several meritorious saves, one of them when Rashford stood up to him already playing as a ‘9’ when Ten Hag took back Martial (65′).

United were unable to close out the game and De Gea had to interfere with one of the few visitors who came forward to cover a good shot from the back of Lewis O’Brien (70′).

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The entry of young revelation Alejandro Garnacho gave an added boost to the ‘Red Devils’ attack, though the Brazilian connection made it 3-0 three minutes from time. Casemiro recovered a ball, saw off the check of newly arrived Fred, defined by a perfect cross ball and put the icing on the cake in a convincing victory for a United on the rise.

MANCHESTER UNITED

30

NOTTINGHAM FOREST

Manchester United: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane (Maguire, 76′), Shaw, Malacia; Casemiro, Eriksen (Fred, 76′); Antony (Van de Beek, 64′), Bruno Fernandes, Rashford (Elanga, 86′); Martial (Garnacho, 64′)
Nottingham Forest: Hennessey; Aurier (Neco Williams, 74′), Worrall, Boly, Lodi (Toffolo, 63′); Freuler, Yates, Orel Mangala (Dennis, 63′); Brennan Johnson, Awoniyi (Surridge, 62′) and Lingard (O’Brien, 54′)
Goals: 1-0 Rashford (19′), 2-0 Martial (22′), 3-0 Fred (87′)
Referee: Anthony Taylor. Yellow cards to Malacia (27′), Orel Mangala (29′), Eriksen (74′), Garnacho (84′)
Attendance: 73,608 at Old Trafford

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