Player ratings: Nottingham Forest 0-3 Manchester United (Carabao Cup)

Manchester United were clinical in their first leg display, as they cruised into a comfortable 3-0 advantage against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup. 

Marcus Rashford, Wout Weghorst and Bruno Fernandes were in for the goals as Manchester United returned to winning ways.

David de Gea — 6/10

He was rarely troubled throughout, but he stepped up when he was called into action. 

The evident issues are still there with the Spainard, but in a game where United dominated the majority of play and only give up chances through transition, de Gea’s lack of composure on the ball or his ability to command his area sufficiently wasnt needed. 

Aaron Wan-Bissaka — 5.5/10

His performance got better as the game went on. 

Defensively, he was robust, and offensively, not much was asked from him throughout the game. 

Victor Lindelöf — 6.5/10

A very mature performance from the Swede. 

Like his defensive panthers, he wasn’t troubled much, but he dealt with any immediate threat in sufficient fashion when he was. 

Lisandro Martínez — 8/10

He was incredibly efficient on the ball and made some vital defensive challenges to limit Forrest’s transitions or chances in the second half.

Tyrell Malacia — 6/10 

Some good moments throughout the fame for the young Dutch full-back. He struggled at first with his battle with Brennan Johnson but grew into it and stood his own for the rest of the game. 

Casemiro — 6.5/10

He was involved in a fascinating battle with Morgan Gibbs-White, with the pair often facing off against each other in transitional moments and the latter usually getting the better of the Brazilian. 

Still, he showed his experience and quality in the second half and tightened an initially quite open midfield. 

Christian Eriksen — 5/10

A slow game from the Dane. Still, his qualities were always prevalent on the ball, but defensibly he was liable. 

A player clearly in need of the rest. 

Bruno Fernandes — 7/10

His game started slow, but as he grew into it, he started to dictate a lot that was good for United. And a goal capped it off, 

A lot was asked of him tonight, not just as a player, but as a leader, and he ultimately stepped up. 

Antony — 7/10

One of his better games in a United shirt to date. 

Did well in his isolation duels and played a prominent figure in United’s second, with his powerful shot being parried for Weghorst to bundle in.  

Marcus Rashford — 7.5/10

As per, he started in blistering fashion, and his opening goal emphasises his current form right now: incredible. 

However, his passing was often off throughout, turning over the ball in unfavourable positions. 

Wout Weghorst — 8/10

Linked wonderfully well with his other attackers, often providing a selfless ‘rebound board’ for the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Antony to play one-twos off and receive it back. 

His first half was capped off with a typical strikers’ goal — capitalising off Wayne Hennessey’s parry and bundling it into the back. 

Substitutes

Alejandro Garnacho — 6/10 

The Argentine was a threat when he had the ball but did little with it. 

In fact, its a credit to his growing satire in the game that when he came on, he was often doubled-team by the opposition. 

Facundo Pellistri — 6/10

A bright cameo in only his second appearance for the club. 

Showed a lot of technical proficiency in the few dribbles and crosses he attempted and was unlucky not to get an assist from one of his crosses. 

Fred — 6/10

A responsible performance from Fred. 

He came on and put out any potential fires that the opposition tried to create. 

Anthony Elanga — 6/10

Was not on for a long but was very efficient with his few touches — grabbing a lovely assist for Bruno Fernandes’ goal.