Manchester United returned to Premier League action tonight at the Theater of Dreams under the watchful eye of Sir Alex Ferguson and it was an emphatic display from the Reds, who won 3-0.
Tyrell Malacia had a brilliant chance in the first five minutes, but his powerful shot was pushed into the post by the keeper.
A corner to Forest was well defended and allowed United to counter-attack on the left, but the change to the right went slightly behind the halfback and the attack fizzled.
However, United got off to a bright start and you could feel that a goal was not far away.
A well-worked corner gave the Reds the lead, Eriksen kept his shot on the floor and Rashford, having slipped away from his man, ran up and hammered him through his body into the far top corner.
Moments later and United again broke up a Forest attack. It was Martial who finished off from a central position on the edge of the box, the goalkeeper probably could have done better as he slotted a glove into him but the power carried it into the bottom corner.
However, Forest had his chances to get back into the game when Yates fired a long-range shot from outside the box that De Gea had to push into a corner.
A free kick almost led to Forest getting one back. Although the ball ended up in the back of the net, the VAR checked a possible handball and an offside and annulled the latter.
It was Forest who came out fighting in the second half and a strong defensive header from Varane cleared the danger for the reds in the first minute of the restart.
United were patient in their play and had their fair share of chances. Hennessey was forced to make a brilliant save when he reached out to block Antony’s shot, which went to Eriksen, who volleyed over the crossbar.
Moments later, Hannessey once again came to the rescue as Martial ducked behind the Forest defense and the goalkeeper denied the Frenchman his second with his feet.
The two subs linked well, Garnacho down the left, passed it to Donny, who pitted it against Rashford, but once again Hennessey stuck his foot out to save Forest.
Forest had a chance to get one back, but it was like a battle between the goalkeepers as De Gea now showed his footwork as he made a great save and came to his feet quickly to catch the rebounded shot.
Fernandes attempted a shot from the halfway line when he noticed Hennessey slipping off his line. It was a good effort, but instead of landing just below the crossbar, he landed on the top of the net.
Substitute Fred put the game to bed. United had been relentless in pressing and winning the ball back, Casemiro spotted Fred’s run, who took the first half and placed him in the far corner.
Team: De Gea, Malaysia, Shaw, Varane (Maguire 76), Fernandes, Antony (Garnacho 65), Eriksen (Fred 76), Casemiro, Martial (Van de Beek 65), Rashford (Elanga)
