Marcus Rashford was on the field for less than an hour on Wednesday night at the City Ground but in that time he once again proved why he is integral to Manchester United.
Within six minutes, aided by some lax Nottingham Forest defending, Rashford opened the scoring with a superb solo goal which silenced the home supporters. Further strikes from Wout Weghorst and Bruno Fernandes sealed a comprehensive first-leg victory in the Carabao Cup semi-finals and has now opened up the possibility of some rotation next week in the reverse fixture.
Rashford's rediscovered confidence has come not a moment too soon considering where he was this time last year. The 25-year-old was struggling for minutes and when he was given an opportunity, he was often far off the standards United fans had come to expect.
