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

DISALLOWED! Forest think they pulled one back right before the half-time break. Lodi whips the ball in from the left-hand side and it is met by Yates. The midfielder heads it into the ground and it bounces into the goal of the unknowing boot of Boly but after a VAR check, the goal is ruled out for offside.

27 December 2022 20:44

Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest

27 December 2022 20:43

Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest

Goal Willy-Arnaud Zobo Boly

27 December 2022 20:41

Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest

Mangala drives forward with the ball for Forest and is fouled by Casemiro.

27 December 2022 20:40

Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest

27 December 2022 20:40

Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest

Rashford and Martial may have got United's first two goals but it is Antony who is trying to get in on the act now. He cuts onto his left foot but his curling effort is just over the Forest bar.

27 December 2022 20:38

Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest

There are just ten minutes to go in this first half but Forest have barely threatened with just one shot on goal thus far.

27 December 2022 20:36

Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest

27 December 2022 20:35

Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest

SAVE!! Awoniyi makes a lung-busting run up the pitch and the ball eventually falls to Yates whose effort is well hit but tipped around the post by De Gea for a Forest corner.

27 December 2022 20:33

Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest

27 December 2022 20:32