Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction

Manchester United 3-0 Nottingham Forest: Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Fred scored in the first United game since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo

Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford scored in the first half for United (Getty Images)

Marcus Rashford continued his rich vein of form as Manchester United closed in on the Premier League top four with a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest.

Rashford, fresh from an impressive World Cup campaign with England, scored the opener and made the second for Anthony Martial as United moved to within one point of fourth-placed Tottenham. He was off the pitch by the time Fred added late gloss to the victory that Rashford spearheaded.

The 25-year-old has been back to his best this season and scored his eighth goal in 13 games for club and country, looking a real threat throughout the match. The way he combined with Martial and Antony in attack suggests that United will fare just fine without the departed Cristiano Ronaldo.

And with the possibility of additions next month, Erik ten Hag’s side will be making a real push to break into those Champions League places and stay in them through the second half of the season.

Relive all the action in the live blog below:

Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest updates

• Manchester United cruise past Nottingham Forest 3-0 at Old Trafford - Rashford, Martial and Fred scoring
• FULL-TIME! Man Utd 3-0 Nottm Forest
• 87’ - GOAL! Fred finishes well after brilliant work by Casemiro (MUN 3-0 NFO)
• 41’ - NO GOAL! Yates’s header ruled out after a slight touch off Boly, who is offside (MUN 2-0 NFO)
• 22’ - GOAL! Martial finds the corner from Rashford assist (MUN 2-0 NFO)
• 19’ - GOAL! Rashford superbly finishes a well-worked corner routine (MUN 1-0 NFO)

Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest

NOTTINGHAM FOREST (4-3-3): Wayne Hennessey; Serge Aurier, Joe Worrall, Willy Boly, Renan Lodi; Ryan Yates, Remo Freuler, Orel Mangala; Brennan Johnson, Taiwo Awoniyi, Jesse Lingard.

27 December 2022 19:39

Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest

MANCHESTER UNITED SUBS: Harry Maguire, Fred, Tom Heaton, Brandon Williams, Donny van de Beek, Anthony Elanga, Alejandro Garnacho, Zidane Iqbal, Rhys Bennett.

27 December 2022 19:37

Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest

MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): David de Gea, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia; Casemiro, Christian Eriksen; Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Anthony Martial; Marcus Rashford.

27 December 2022 19:37

Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest

The visitors, Nottingham Forest, head into this encounter after a convincing 4-1 victory over Blackburn in the EFL Cup. Steve Cooper's side, who were unbeaten in their last three games before the World Cup break, know that a win against Manchester United would take them outside the relegation zone.

27 December 2022 19:36

Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest

27 December 2022 19:35

Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest

Both these sides return to Premier League action today with both teams winning midweek in their EFL Cup ties. Manchester United ran out 2-0 winners against Burnley. A win today for Erik ten Hag's side would move them within one point of Tottenham and the top four.

27 December 2022 19:33

Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest

Hello and welcome to the live commentary for today's Premier League match between Manchester United and Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford.

27 December 2022 19:31

Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest

27 December 2022 19:18

Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest

27 December 2022 19:14

Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest

27 December 2022 19:12