United’s early pressure was as persistent as the torrential rain that lashed Old Trafford during an entertaining first half, and after Tyrell Malacia saw a fierce drive turned onto a post by Forest goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, United went ahead in the 20th minute thanks to a well-worked set piece. Christian Eriksen displayed his customarily superb vision to slide his corner kick into the path of Rashford, who guided home classily from close range for his 10th club goal in all competitions this season, to follow up his supreme solo effort against Burnley in the Carabao Cup last week.
Erik ten Hag’s men then doubled their advantage three minutes later, courtesy of an attack that started with a tenacious Casemiro challenge on Taiwo Awoniyi deep in the Brazilian’s own half. After returning World Cup finalist Raphaël Varane and early pacesetter Malacia helped move the ball up the pitch, Bruno Fernandes played a perfect pass down the left into the path of Rashford, who burst forward and chopped inside Serge Aurier before finding Anthony Martial, whose side-footed effort agonisingly beat the dive of Wayne Hennessey after going through the legs of Willy Boly.
A rasping drive from Ryan Yates had David de Gea panicking just after the half-hour mark, and Forest’s vice-captain seemed to have helped halve the deficit just before the break, nodding in off the post with the aid of a Boly deflection from Renan Lodi’s whipped free-kick, but the goal was ruled out after the centre-back was ruled offside by VAR. That only served to further fire up Steve Cooper’s side, but the visitors’ morale would be further dented with the influential ex-United man Jesse Lingard’s withdrawal through injury.
Soon after seeing his compatriot depart, Rashford again turned on the style, sliding a wonderful through-ball to Fernandes, but the Portugal international’s lay-off to Antony was fired straight at Hennessey. The Welshman’s reflexes were next tested by Martial, as the hosts looked to put the contest to bed before Antony and Martial were withdrawn for Donny van de Beek and 18-year-old Alejandro Garnacho, with the pair combining to set up Rashford, who was denied impressively by Hennessey.
Late substitute Fred had the last laugh on 87 minutes though, applying a cool finish to Casemiro’s inch-perfect ball after the midfielder had intercepted Emmanuel Dennis’ pass as Forest looked to break. The loss left the East Midlanders still searching for their first PL away win, with the team’s sole PL goal on hostile turf still dating back to a 1-1 draw at Everton in August. United, meanwhile, will be confident of overhauling Spurs as they have a game in hand on the North Londoners and can leapfrog Antonio Conte’s charges temporarily with a win at Wolves on Saturday lunchtime.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
