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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

Tuesday 27 December 2022 22:59 GMT

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:

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Man Utd begin post-Ronaldo era in style with easy Nottingham Forest win

It was neither about the forward who left Manchester United nor the one who never joined. They required neither the released Cristiano Ronaldo nor Cody Gakpo, the prospective replacement who is instead bound for Liverpool, as instead two of the constants of a turbulent few years at Old Trafford sufficed.

A swift double by Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial saw off Nottingham Forest, with the aid of a late strike from Fred. Two goals in four minutes put United on fourth-place Tottenham’s coattails, and with a game in hand.

Full report from Richard Jolly at Old Trafford:

Manchester United begin post-Ronaldo era in style with easy Nottingham Forest win

Manchester United 3-0 Nottingham Forest: Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Fred all scored in the first game since Cristiano Ronaldo dramatically departed Old Trafford

Luke Baker27 December 2022 22:12

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