Manchester United are within touching distance of the top four after a competent 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Tuesday evening.
After netting his 10th goal of the season from a well-worked corner, Marcus Rashford teed up Anthony Martial for his fifth strike of the season. A man-of-the-match performance from Casemiro was capped by a superbly-earned assist for Fred three minutes from time after making one of his many interceptions.
Forest nearly got back into the game just before the break, but Ryan Yates’ header was ruled out after flicking off the offside Willy Boly. The win means United are now eight consecutive home games unbeaten having kept a sixth league clean sheet of the season.
READ MORE: United player ratings vs Forest
Reds fans were treated to a dominant display in their team’s first Premier League game back after the World Cup. Here are several moments they may have missed.
Garnacho gets booked
Substitute Alejandro Garnacho was a livewire when he came on. The teenager, though, now has two yellow cards in as many league games - but for very different reasons.
After receiving one for taking his shirt off following his stoppage-time winner against Fulham before the mid-season pause, Garnacho went into the book again vs Forest for trying to stop a free-kick without retreating 10 yards.
The youngster stuck out a leg, deflecting the ball from its original path, although the referee played the advantage before coming back to brandish the yellow.
Fan takes celebratory 'swipe' at Erik ten Hag
A United supporter sitting behind the dugout aimed a sharp but harmless swipe amidst the celebrations of Martial's strike. Erik ten Hag was delighted with the Frenchman's finish - as was the fan.
In fact, he was so happy that he wafted a pat-on-the-back style hand towards the manager, although didn't seem to make contact. Ten Hag didn't react and there certainly wasn't anything untoward aside from emotion perhaps getting the better of him.
Reception for Lingard
Summer departee Jesse Lingard was forced off with a problem eight minutes after the break, the now-Forest playmaker failing to make a telling impact during his return to Old Trafford. Before the game, he outlined how he felt he was not given a proper send-off upon his exit last season after his long service to the club.
While it was by no means raucous, United fans did show their appreciation for the midfielder when he shuffled off the field as he was replaced. A number even took a standing ovation as the 30-year-old acknowledged the reception he was given.
Bruno Fernandes rabona
With the game wrapped up four minutes into stoppage time, Bruno Fernandes brought out a party trick to put a glossy cherry on the already-iced cake. With the ball coming towards him just outside the area, he hit an audacious rabona pass out wide to Fred.
The ball reached the intended target although the move came to nothing, not that either would have minded too much given the referee blew for full-time shortly after.
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