Manchester United gave their fans something to cheer about after their recent transfer debacle by marking their return to Premier League action with a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
Two quick first-half goals from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial and a late save from substitute Fred secured all three points for the home team.
The game gained importance due to the fact that this was the first league game since the acrimonious departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and following the news of Liverpool’s capture of Erik ten Hag’s long-term target Cody Gakpo.
It is important that the strikers deliver
And it was a great start as both attackers scored, with the England international scoring an excellent first goal from a cleverly worked corner routine.
What was great to see was the confidence with which Rashford dismissed opportunity, not opting for power, something he has been guilty of when under pressure.
He muffed the ball past defenseless Wayne Hennessey to give the hosts the lead.
Marcus Rashford has scored in 5 games in a row at Old Trafford and has more goals than he has in all of last season ????
What a change ???? pic.twitter.com/uH30IL3u1I
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 27, 2022
The second goal was a collective effort, initiated by the best player on the pitch, Casemiro. His tackle saw Bruno Fernandes receive the ball and his fly ball was expertly controlled by the striker.
His perfectly weighted dismissal finished him off at the first Martial and the goal will give him a lot of confidence after the difficult start he has had to endure due to injury.
The Frenchman has a great goal-per-minute ratio and the manager had revealed that No 9 United could be the difference maker if he kept fit.
Can United as a team make a difference now?
There were familiar touches of waste as Antony, Martial and Rashford missed opportunities to extend United’s lead. The Red Devils had 17 shots with eight on target.
Fred eventually got third, something the hosts deserved with the amount of pressure they put Forest’s team under.
There have been reports that only January loan signings will be sanctioned due to the state of the club’s finances and in that case the new team spirit under Ten Hag will be of great importance.
If all the players keep giving it their all, and if the two forwards manage to maintain their form, Ten Hag can still dream of finishing in the top four.
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