RASHFORD STRIKES AS MAN UNITED BEATS NOTTINGHAM FOREST IN FIRST LEG OF CARABAO CUP SEMIFINAL

Marcus Rashford scored again to help Manchester United beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final on Wednesday.

Rashford’s superb solo effort after six minutes, dancing past defenders before firing home, brought his season total to 18 goals in all competitions. Only Erling Haaland of Manchester City has more for a Premier League club in 2022-23.

After catching United on the counter, Forest thought it had quickly restored parity at the City Ground, but Sam Surridge’s effort was ruled out for offside after a VAR review.

United took advantage of the reprieve by doubling its lead just before halftime, with on-loan striker Wout Weghorst scoring his first goal for the club after Antony’s shot was well saved.

The second goal effectively ended Forest’s chances of a comeback, and Bruno Fernandes added a late third to keep United on track for their first trophy since 2017.

United entered the game having suffered its first defeat in all competitions since November at Arsenal on Sunday, as well as losing its previous three cup semi-finals.

Rashford provided the ideal platform for it to improve that record, but Forest responded well, believing it had immediately leveled, only for VAR to intervene before the hosts created and squandered more chances.

On the half-hour mark, the visitors produced a fine move to play Antony in, but the Brazilian was denied by Forest goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, who was filling in for on-loan Dean Henderson, who was unable to play against his parent club United.

Antony’s next shot resulted in the second goal, as Hennessey saved his powerful effort, but Weghorst, on his third appearance, was on hand to open his United account.

At halftime, United fans in the away end sang “Wembley,” and their hopes of returning to the famous old stadium for the February final continued after the break.

Forest were still in the tie at 2-0, but Fernandes’ drilled finish in the 89th minute gave United the joint-largest first-leg win by an away side in a League Cup semi-final, and it would take a massive collapse for Forest to turn things around at Old Trafford next week.