Manchester United travelled to the City Ground for an FA Cup clash with Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night.
Casemiro’s late header sealed a narrow 1-0 win for Manchester United at the City Ground, punching their ticket to the FA Cup quarter-finals at Nottingham Forest’s expense. As Erik ten Hag’s hunt for silverware continues, Express Sport takes you through four key talking points from the match…
Man Utd win ugly
It was far from a vintage display as United allowed Forest to rain 16 shots down on Andre Onana’s goal, but the fact they ground out the result in gritty and determined fashion will fill Ten Hag with encouragement.
The contest being decided by a scruffy set-piece, followed by a lengthy VAR check, was fitting, with Casemiro nodding in a Bruno Fernandes free-kick from out wide. It wasn’t pretty, but all United fans will care about is being in the next round.
Three players drag United through
Casemiro produced the vital goal but United’s finest performances came from elsewhere in the side. The ever-reliable Diogo Dalot is growing into a significant presence for the Red Devils and his work, both in attack and defence, made Forest’s life difficult.
Bruno Fernandes was at the centre of United’s positive play going forward and fired a dangerous ball into the box for United’s 89th-minute winner. And in a first half which saw several stars go missing, Scott McTominay’s contributions were clear to see, testing Matt Turner on numerous occasions after making well-timed runs into the box.
Ten Hag loses his cool
With the Dutchman desperate for silverware, and ultimately the right to keep his job, Ten Hag was more animated on the City Ground touchline than perhaps he has ever been since arriving at United.
Antony, who had good and bad moments on the night, was on the wrong end of a Ten Hag tirade during the second-half when he failed to chase down a loose ball. The charged-up former Ajax boss was also seen bellowing instructions to Marcus Rashford after a United penalty shout was waved away.
Shearer goes in on Rashford
Alan Shearer was on BBC commentary duties for United’s clash with Forest, and the Premier League’s all-time record goal-scorer knows a thing or two about what makes a good striker.
That being said, the Newcastle United legend was less than impressed with what he saw from Rashford in the first half. With signs of frustration bubbling up over a lack of service, the 26-year-old’s flailing arms began to tell their own story.
“I don’t like his body language,” ranted Shearer. “As an individual he has to take responsibility for his actions. He has to do better, hold the ball up, stop waving his arms around. He’s telling the fans that it’s not his fault he lost the ball.”
