Man Utd vs Nottingham Forest LIVE: Carabao Cup result and final score after Anthony Martial and Fred goals
Manchester United lead 3-0 after first leg and hope to win first piece of silverware since 2017
Manchester United will book a place at Wembley if they avoid losing to Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup semi-finals tonight. The Red Devils did the damage in the first leg thanks to goals from Marcus Rashford,Wout Weghorst, and Bruno Fernandes who helped Erik ten Hag’s men to a 3-0 win.
The manager has been quite vocal about his desire to bring silverware back to Old Trafford and the Carabao Cup is United’s best chance at winning a trophy for the first time since 2017. Attempting to stop them are Nottingham Forest but it would take a remarkable comeback from Steve Cooper’s side to get back in this tie.
It remains to be seen whether Ten Hag will rest his key players but Anthony Martial and Jadon Sancho are expected to be in the matchday squad and could make their return for the Red Devils. The winner of this semi-final will play Newcastle at Wembley after Eddie Howe’s side defeated Southampton to reach their first cup final since 1999.
Follow all the action from the Carabao Cup semi-final at Old Trafford:
Ten Hag targeting Wembley
Manchester United boss, Erik ten Hag is aiming for a spot at Wembley as he hopes to bring silverware back to Old Trafford this season.
‘’We have to go into this game with know-how, it’s another cup and we want to go to Wembley. It’s a long time ago that Manchester United went to a final, and to win the final - that is our aim.
“So we have to do everything for it and that means we have to be fully focused, full energy and a top game-plan. We face a good team, Nottingham Forest, who are having a really good run. We have to be aware of that so it’s up to us.’’
Casemiro: I am enjoying myself like a kid again
Casemiro believes Manchester United are growing towards being title contenders and says playing for the Old Trafford giants makes him feel like an excited, wide-eyed 15-year-old again.
Having chased Frenkie de Jong and failed to land Adrien Rabiot, the Red Devils pulled off an almighty coup by signing the Brazil international from Real Madrid in the summer.
Some questioned United’s decision to pay £60million for a 30-year-old – a fee that could yet rise by £10million – and even the hunger of a player that has won so much.
But Casemiro has so far made doubters look foolish, having put in transformative midfield displays and embraced the challenge of turning the club’s fortunes around.
Casemiro: I am enjoying myself like a kid again
The Red Devils pulled off an almighty coup by signing the Brazil international from Real Madrid in the summer.
Ten Hag on United’s Brazilian duo
Manchester United’s Brazilian midfielders, Fred and Casemiro, led the way into the FA Cup fifth round when they bot scored in the win against Reading last time out.
The duo start alongside each other tonight and the United boss is confident they can become a quality pairing. He said:
“I think you mentioned already in your first sermon he’s playing together with Casemiro in the Brazil squad, there’s not a worse squad in the world, they have so many choices they can make, but they play together and that tells something about the quality Fred has and what he can contribute to the team.
“You see against Tottenham and Man City, when he’s coming on last game he scores a goal, he has a lot of qualities, and they’re a good combination, Casemiro and Fred.”
Man Utd vs Nottm Forest team changes
Erik ten Hag makes five changes to the Manchester United line-up that started the first leg last week. Tom Heaton replaces David De Gea in goal whilst Luke Shaw and Raphael Varane slot into the defence.
Fred replaces the injured Christian Eriksen in midfield and Alejandro Garnacho takes Marcus Rashford’s place on the wing.
There are also four changes to the Nottingham Forest line-up. Neco Williams and Willy Boly come in to replace Serge Aurier and Joe Worrall. In midfield Orel Mangala replaces Danilo and Jesse Lingard slots in for the injured Morgan Gibbs-White.
Man Utd vs Nottm Forest line-ups
Man Utd XI: Heaton, Wan-Bissaka, Shaw, Varane, Martinez, Casemiro, Fred, Fernandes, Antony, Garnacho, Weghorst.
Nottm Forest XI: Hennessey, Williams, Boly, McKenna, Lodi, Freuler, Mangala, Scarpa, Johnson, Lingard, Surridge
‘We have the belief factor’ says Lingard
Former Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard doesn’t believe that the semi-final tie is over despite his old club holding a three goal lead on aggregate over Nottingham Forest.
Now playing for Forest, Lingard was aked if United’s lead means this tie is over before the second leg even starts.
“Definitely not [over]. 100% definitely not,” Lingard told the BBC. “We have to have the belief factor about us, and the hunger to go and win. I think anything is possible.
!Of course, they are a good team and are playing really well this season, but we have to find that belief and motivation to go and get something there.”
Steve Cooper wants Nottingham Forest to prove themselves against Man Utd
Steve Cooper has challenged his Nottingham Forest players to prove they can perform on the biggest stage when they head to Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
Forest have little hope of overturning the 3-0 deficit from from the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against a Manchester United side who have won their last 11 home games.
But though he recognises their chance of reaching Wembley has all but gone, Cooper has set his side other objectives as he demands a performance from his players.
High among them is improving a woeful record away to the Premier League’s top four – Forest have conceded 16 goals without reply in trips to Arsenal, Manchester City, Newcastle and United in the league this term, including a 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford in late December.
Steve Cooper wants Nottingham Forest to prove themselves against Man Utd
Forest trail 3-0 from the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final
United’s reinforcements
Following his transfer, Marcel Sabitzer could become the first ever Austrian to make an appearance for Manchester United in the Premier League.
As of now, Austria would be the 44th nation to represent the club in the competition.
Manchester United sign Marcel Sabitzer on loan from Bayern Munich
Manchester United have signed Marcel Sabitzer on loan from Bayern Munich until the end of the season.
The Austria international adds to United’s midfield options after Christian Eriksen was ruled out for three months with an ankle injury.
United were quick to contact Bayern over a loan move for the versatile 28-year-old, with the German champions open to the deal. There is no option or obligation to buy included in the deal.
Manchester United sign Marcel Sabitzer on loan
United moved quickly to add midfield cover after Christian Eriksen was ruled out for three months
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