Gary Neville has said that both Joe Worrall and Remo Freuler should have done better to stop Marcus Rashford opening the scoring in the Carabao Cup semi-final.
Forest are taking on Manchester United in the first leg of the final four clash at the City Ground, as both teams look to take an advantage into next week’s second leg at Old Trafford. Forest will be looking to continue their improved form.
But things didn’t start as the Reds would have hoped with Rashford continuing his impressive form in front of goal. The England man struck to put Erik ten Hag’s men ahead in just the sixth minute of the game.
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In the aftermath of the strike, former United full-back Neville gave his reaction to the goal, highlighting where both Worrall and Freuler could have done better.
“It’s a little bit like the balloon’s burst at the party,” he said on Sky Sports commentary following Man United’s opening goal. “You know the form that Rashford’s been in, the goal on Sunday against Arsenal was absolutely brilliant, and he’s picked up the ball in the left channel a couple of times in the first five minutes of this game, he looked just bigger and stronger than his opponent.
“They’re really struggling to get back, and he just goes past him [Worrall] like he’s not there. Freuler, who has put over that side, has got to do better with him as well, but Rashford - who you think might go across Hennessey - he sees that gap at the near post and digs it out with his left foot. What form he’s in. There’s two players for Forest there - Freuler and Worrall - and they have to show him outside on his left foot.
“They can’t let him come back in on his right where he wants to be. It’s a counter attack, it’s dangerous, it’s not easy and I get that, but over-cover if you have to, to allow him to go onto the outside - just don’t let him back inside and through you.”
Forest did think that they had got back into the game in the first half through Sam Surridge, who finished well past David De Gea. However, VAR intervened to rule the equaliser out with the Forest striker deemed to be offside.
The Reds have since pushed for the equaliser with Gustavo Scarpa forcing De Gea into an impressive save to maintain Man United’s lead. Wayne Hennessey has also been called into action, saving a one-on-one with Antony. Wout Weghorst then doubled United's lead in the build up to half-time.
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