Nottingham Forest’s return to Premier League action didn’t go how many would have hoped with the Reds falling to defeat against Manchester United.
Steve Cooper ’s men went into the game off the back of three wins in a row, with two of the victories coming in the Carabao Cup as they booked their place in the quarter-final of the competition last week. Confidence among the squad would have therefore been high with Forest hoping that they could take something from Old Trafford.
It however didn’t work out that way, as Marcus Rashford gave the Red Devils a lead in the first half with a cleverly worked corner, Anthony Martial doubled their lead just two minutes later. The Reds did see a goal chalked off for offside in the first half. As Forest pushed to get back into the game in the closing stages, Fred made sure of the result after a Man United counter attack.
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The result leaves the Reds in 19th place in the table, with them back in action against Chelsea on Sunday. After that game, there is what could be a crucial clash against bottom of the table Southampton next week.
While eyes will now be turning to the upcoming clashes, here is what some of the national media made of last night’s clash at Old Trafford.
The Guardian, Jamie Jackson
Manchester United were faster, sharper, smarter, and classier than Nottingham Forest in this seventh straight win over their visitors. This was approaching the complete performance: a blend of measured attacking and rapid breaks and the constant harrying of an opponent who ended exhausted and demoralised.
Given United had scored only 20 Premier League goals at kickoff and there is limited finance in January to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, a strike apiece from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial before Fred’s late clincher was as fine a tonic as the three points which keep them on the heels of Tottenham.
Freedom is one more adjective to describe how, 23 years after United spanked Forest 8-1 at the City Ground (Ole Gunnar Solskjær scoring four in 10 minutes), this Erik ten Hag side applied a similar schooling on what was, for most of the contest, a classic rain-lashed Mancunian night.
The Independent, Richard Jolly
Jesse Lingard’s first return to Old Trafford was a quiet affair that was curtailed within an hour when he hobbled off; United were given few reasons to lament his departure while a player denied a farewell by Ralf Rangnick was afforded a warm reception as he trudged along the touchline. With Morgan Gibbs-White already out, his departure reduced Forest’s attacking options.
After 22 summer signings, however, there is a case for saying they should not buy. Martial and Rashford, meanwhile, made the case that United do not need to.
The Sun, Martin Blackburn
Last time United played against Forest was the famous 8-1 win at the City Ground back in 1999.
And the noisy travelling fans might have feared the worst as their team found themselves two goals down in the opening 22 minutes.
United had looked in the mood right from the off with full-back Tyrell Malacia finding himself free at the back stick and firing a low shot that was bundled onto the post by Wayne Hennessey.
The Wales international keeper was pressed into action as regular number one Dean Henderson was ineligible to play against his parent club and might have known he was in for a busy night.
Yet it was the Forest defence at fault as United did take the lead in the 19th minute as they were caught napping at a corner…
For a team who have not scored away from home in the Prem since August, it was a disastrous start.
The Daily Mail, Chris Wheeler
It certainly wasn’t the return to Old Trafford that Jesse Lingard would have hoped for, and the United academy graduate limped off to sympathetic applause from the home fans with nine minutes of the restart.
It could have been far worse for Forest had Hennessey not made saves at close-range to thwart Antony, Martial and Rashford.
However, the Wales international was powerless to stop Fred steering home the third in the 87th minute following an excellent pass from Casemiro.
This was the first meeting between the two clubs since United won 8-1 at the City Ground in February 1999 on their way clinching an historic Treble.
Back then, Sir Alex Ferguson was able to call on a lethal quartet of Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Teddy Sheringham.
Ten Hag might not have quite the same quality available, but this United attack isn’t too shabby either.
What did you think of the game vs Man United? Tell us in the comments section
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