Erik ten Hag's side won comfortably against Nottingham Forest, with Man United looking to build momentum towards their upcoming games, including an FA Cup tie against Reading.
Man United were looking to put in a solid shift against Nottingham Forest to build up some momentum following their loss against Arsenal at the weekend, where Eddie Nketiah snatched a last gasp winner.
Marcus Rashford opened the scoring in the 5th minute with a spectacular solo run, as he wove between the Nottingham Forest defenders and slotted it past Wayne Hennessey before Sam Surridge scored an offside goal that would've levelled the scoring. Antony's shot from outside the box was parried by Hennessey into the feet of new loan signing Wout Weghorst, who hit a powerful shot into the roof of the net. A scramble in the Nottingham Forest box in the 88th minute saw Anthony Elanga play a ball to Bruno Fernandes, who struck a half volley low past Hennessey.
This 3-0 result sees Man United go into the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final with a 3 goal lead at Old Trafford, as just one game stands between them and an opportunity at silverware.
Marcus Rashford's performances
Ten Hag wants more from the Man United players, and set Rashford as the example. Rashford has been on fire for Man United this season and it seems as if Ten Hag is bringing the best out of him; this was seen in his incredible solo run in the 5th minute of the game, where he unravelled the Nottingham Forest defence.
"Be creative in the final third to do something in the final third, some crazy stuff, fantasy and adventure", Ten Hag told reporters.
"He is actually unstoppable when he's in this mood, this spirit and focus. He needs to keep going and to keep his focus. Football form is a thin line and don't drop off. We all hope he can stay there.", he said.
Ten Hag made the decision to take Rashford off the pitch, and stated this decision was already made.
"We already planned the Rashford sub. He did his game, he did his job."
Almost letting the hosts get a goal back
Man United let Nottingham Forest striker Sam Surridge score, but the goal was disallowed for offside. Close calls such as these are something that Man United will want to avoid in their bid for Champions League football this season, as they contest against the likes of Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur. Ten Hag told reporters about that moment, as well as other close calls during the course of the match.
"We almost let them come into the game and we can't allow an opponent to get back into the game when we started so good. We dictated it totally then in one moment it can change. We need to avoid that.", Ten Hag explained.
"I'm happy with the performance and I think over 90 minutes we controlled it. There was one moment that could have changed the game and that is where we need to improve but overall we controlled it."
"I wasn't happy with the part of the game after they changed the system. You have to stay calm, move the ball around, not too fast, especially when you are leading away. you have to control and dictate the game.", he interpreted.
"I think in the second half we were much more composed and we tracked them. It was much better.".
One more game between Man United and the final
Just one more game separates Ten Hag's side from a place at Wembley and a chance at silverware, but the job is not done yet. The Dutchman wants full focus from his players to keep complacency from creeping in.
"Yeah we have to play one game [before the final]. We have to do the same, prepare and make a good game plan. The players have to be focused.".
This game in comparison to last week's
When asked about the result Man United were able to get tonight in comparison to the Arsenal game last week, Ten Hag had a lot to say.
"From a result perspective, we bounced back good. I think the performance over the 90 minutes was also okay and there was the one moment in the game that could have changed the game and we have to avoid that; it's a learning moment in a way to develop a really good team".
"I think the first 20 minutes was all ours, I think we played really well on the ball from the start and of course, (we scored) a great goal - Rashy (Rashford) again with the opening goal but of course afterwards he created good chances".
"We created more chances for ourselves in the second half but 2-0 at half time was an important one because that brought calmness to the team. I think it was a great action from Anthony and the rebound from (Wout) Weghorst; that's why we got him in."
Antony's performance
Many people claim that Anthony has not yet lived up to the price tag Man United paid for him in the summer, but Ten Hag expressed his thoughts on the Brazilian after this game.
"I think he played a really good game, I think he was a threat, I think he was good between the lines, made some good actions. He had to score but it was a great combination so I want to see more dynamic in the front line but we are working on that part - it is the most difficult part. I have seen some good movements today and also I think in the last couple of games, I am happy with that.", he told the reporters.
Youngster Facundo Pellistri was brought on during the game and reporters asked Ten Hag what he saw from him once he came on.
"He had some good movements, some good run ins behind and he has speed so he has to bring that into our game and I think he is also a player that can play really good between the lines because he can secure the ball, so he has to bring this into our game. A little bit different; like a left footed right-winger we have with Anthony and when we bring him, there is a right-footed (player). A good chance he created was his cross to Wout Weghorst.
When asked if Pellistri was considered for Man United's upcoming FA Cup fixture against Reading, Ten Hag had this to say:
"After today? I have something in my head but I have to settle this game down then look into my plans, then I have to look into Reading, and then we make a good plan to beat Reading.
Wout Weghorst's first goal for Man United
New loan signing Wout Weghorst scored his first Man United goal tonight and it seemingly meant a lot to him - Ten Hag was questioned on this.
"It's always important; I think he did a great job against Crystal Palace and Arsenal with pressing and being a target, with movements because I think the goal from Bruno (Fernandes) against Crystal Palace, he (Weghorst) played a part in it because he made the right movement to the front post.
The Rashford goal against Arsenal he was part of it because he made the space for Rashford by dragging the centre half away. But finally, strikers are there to score goals and when they don't score, they are not happy so it's important for him and his confidence as well that he scored that goal - I think that this is one of the ways that he can score goals, by being a presence in the box", he told the reporters.
