Manchester United made a optimistic start to life without Cristiano Ronaldo as Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial stepped out from the Portuguese’s shadow to rating in a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Tuesday.
Manchester United striker Anthony Martial (L) celebrates with teammates after scoring his crew second objective in the course of the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on 27 December 2022. Picture: Oli SCARFF/AFP
MANCHESTER – Manchester United made a optimistic start to life without Cristiano Ronaldo as Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial stepped out from the Portuguese’s shadow to rating in a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Tuesday.
But supervisor Erik ten Hag continues to be focusing on a striker to change Ronaldo within the switch market to make the Red Devils extra scientific within the ultimate third.
Ronaldo’s rollercoaster second spell at Old Trafford got here to an finish in the course of the World Cup break after an explosive interview wherein he took intention at Ten Hag and the membership’s house owners.
On the sector, his affect had already waned for the reason that Dutch coach took cost on the start of the season.
Rashford has been a participant reworked below Ten Hag and carried his superb kind for England on the World Cup into the Premier League’s return.
“Our players performed really well in the World Cup, I was happy to see that and now they continue,” Ten Hag informed Amazon Prime. “They have to stay on that level, keep going and progress from game to game.”
A brilliantly labored nook opened the floodgates for United as Christian Eriksen picked out an unmarked Rashford inside the world to sweep into the highest nook.
Forest have been without their first alternative goalkeeper Dean Henderson as he’s on mortgage from United and his understudy Wayne Hennessey was culpable when the house facet doubled their lead simply three minutes later.
Rashford’s burst down the left and teed up Martial on the fringe of the field, however the Frenchman’s strike shouldn’t have had sufficient energy to beat the Welsh worldwide goalkeeper.
United have been additionally brief handed on the again with Lisandro Martinez absent following Argentina’s World Cup celebrations, Diogo Dalot injured and Harry Maguire nonetheless feeling the aftereffects of an sickness.
As a end result Raphael Varane was pressured into beginning simply 9 days after enjoying 113 minutes for France within the World Cup ultimate, whereas Luke Shaw lined up as a centre-back in a again 4 for the primary time.
But Forest did little to check a makeshift backline as they continue to be with only one objective away from house within the league all season.
Steve Cooper’s males did have the ball within the internet shortly earlier than half-time, however Willy Boly’s effort was dominated out for offside after a prolonged VAR examine.
GAKPO NO GO
The house facet ought to have added multiple objective within the second half, main Ten Hag to repeat his name for a brand new striker.
United seem to have already missed out on one goal with Cody Gakpo set to be a part of rivals Liverpool from PSV Eindhoven.
“We are looking for a striker because games are coming every three days,” added Ten Hag. “It’s tough and we want to play in all the leagues. Hopefully we can keep going till the end of the season, so we need numbers in the squad.”
Antony fired straight at Hennessey after superb play from Rashford and Bruno Fernandes gave the Brazilian a transparent sight of objective.
Hennessey additionally stood agency to block from Martial and Rashford from shut vary, however United lastly received the third objective they deserved three minutes from time.
The imperious Casemiro strode ahead to win possession and picked out his Brazilian compatriot Fred to slot into the far nook.
Victory takes United to inside one level of the highest 4 and with a sport in hand to come on fourth-placed Tottenham.
Forest stay rooted within the relegation zone, however only one level adrift of security.