Man United Cruise To A 3-0 Win Against Nottingham Forest.

It was never in doubt as Manchester United ended the year 2022 on a high at Old Trafford, cruising to a 3-0 win against struggling Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night.

United returned to domestic action following a routine 2-0 victory against Burnley in the League Cup last week.

With Lisandro Martinez unavailable after Argentina’s triumph in Qatar, Ten Hag was forced to rush beaten finalist Rapahel Varane back into action alongside Luke Shaw in central defence. 

An unfamiliar back-four was completed by Aaron Wan-Bissaka making his first league start of the season and Tyrell Malacia.

£82million summer signing Antony got back to the starting XI after the World Cup, while Alejandro Garnacho and Anthony Elanga were sent on the second half.

It was United's first Premier League game since Cristiano Ronaldo departure in November.

Marcus Rashford took centre stage, by producing two goals in a three-minute spell midway through the first half.

Rashford dispatched the opener from Christian Eriksen's clever corner in the 19th minute, then teeing up Anthony Martial for the second goal shortly afterwards.

Forest thought they had pulled one back five minutes before the break when Ryan Yates' header from a freekick found the back of the net. However, after a lengthy VAR review, it was judged that Willy Body, who nudged the ball on, did so while in an offside position.

The Red Devil's dominated play in the second half, and wrapped up the win when the excellent Casemiro stole possession high up the pitch and fed substitute Fred, who lashed home a powerful finish on the 87th minute to make it a 3-0 win.

Victory here saw United close the gap on fifth-placed Tottenham to one point with a game in hand, while adding to Forest’s problems at the foot of the table as Steve Cooper struggles to lift his team out of trouble, as they remain 19th, a point from safety.