Manchester United cruised past Nottingham Forest in their first Premier League match back at Old Trafford since the end of the World Cup in Qatar.
First-half goals from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial put United in a comfortable lead but the win was sealed by a late goal from second-half substitute, Fred.
Casemiro was at the heart of everything that United did and he crowned his superb display with an assist for Fred’s goal.
United did not look like they were missing Cristiano Ronaldo who was sacked during the World Cup as they took control of the game early on.
Forest thought they had got back into the match midway through the first half, but Willy Boly’s goal from a free kick was ruled out for offside.
The visitors never looked like mounting a comeback, with United putting the seal on a impressive display as substitute Fred netted a late third, completing a victory that moves the fifth-placed hosts one point off the top four. Forest stay 19th.
“We have to score more goals, we created so many chances and it took us until just before the end to score the third goal, we need to take this moment earlier,” United boss Erik ten Hag told Amazon.
“Just before halftime we had two really good chances to finish the game. There are many games to come, you can then save energy and is better for everyone. For the progress of the team we need to be more clinical.
“You can see Martial and Rashford are goalscorers, Bruno Fernandes will score goals, but we have to be ruthless.”
Rashford has enjoyed a much-improved season in front of goal for club and country and, in his side’s first league game back after the World Cup, his fine near-post finish from a well-worked corner broke the deadlock in the Old Trafford drizzle.
The fine finish took Rashford’s tally to 10 for the season in all competitions, double what he managed last term, with another player who has his found his goalscoring touch again, Martial, converting Rashford’s pass to add another quickfire goal.
“Every forward has a number they want to try and reach,” Rashford told Amazon.
“For me it’s to score more than I’ve ever scored in a season so for me I think it’s 22 or 23. I need to try and keep scoring and affecting the games.”
A lengthy VAR review was needed to rule out Boly’s goal at the far post, but otherwise United remained in control of the match.
Brazilian forward Antony wasted a glorious chance to get on the scoresheet early in the second half, but saw his close-range attempt saved. His compatriot Fred made no mistake with his late opportunity inside the penalty area.
The victory means United have now lost only once in the league since their thrashing at the hands of rivals Manchester City in October.
