Manchester United will play Newcastle United in Carabao Cup final after completing EFL Cup double over Nottingham Forest.
After a barren first half draw, United pulled a stronger and more formidable display in the second half. Erik Ten Hag made three changes that altered the game after the first-half hour mark, giving the Red Devils enough leverage and attacking momentum.
He subbed on Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, and Jadon Sancho, who was making his first appearance for the team after the World Cup following a fitness challenge that saw him ruled out of action.
Manchester United struck twice within three minutes late in the second half after the substitutions, helping Erik Ten Hag complete a double against the visitors.
Anthony Martial opened the scoring in the 73rd minute after Willy Boly was dispossessed by Casemiro close to the halfway line. Casemiro passed the ball to Martial, who sends it to Rashford. Rashford’s attempt was blocked by Scott McKenna, and Anthony Martial was in the right position to tuck home the rebound and give Manchester United the lead.
After taking a deserved 1-0 lead, Manchester United still held sway over the game, putting Nottingham Forest’s on the defensive.
Three minutes after the first goal, the Red Devils struck again to sink Forests. Fred began the move for the second goal with the help of Anthony Martial and Jadon Sancho.
The Brazilian ended up finishing what he started after he picked up Marcus Rashford’s pass and fired into an empty net to double the lead for the Red Devils.
Before the quick double in the second half, Manchester United had the chance to take the lead in the first half when new loan signing from Burnley Wout Weghorst hit the post with a great header after Casemiro’s cross.
Also, Anthony Martial blanked from 20 yards, narrowly missing the target that would have given the home side the lead. The Red Devils also had a penalty appeal turned down after Neco Williams seems to have fouled Alejandro Garnacho in the box.
Nottingham Forest failed to match the attacking pace and drive of Manchester United, and were playing second fiddle to the in-form man United squad on ball possession.
However, the visitors came across a clear chance to take the lead in the 34th minutes but Johnson fired straight at Man United goalkeeper Tom Heaton, who saved it effortlessly.
Johnson came close again in the closing minutes of the first half, but fired at his teammate Sam Surridge who was standing at the edge of the box.
Manchester United had another penalty appeal turned down by VAR but the two goals were a sure bet for their progress to the finals at Wembley after they defeated Steve Cooper’s men 3-0 in the first leg.
After the game, Erik Ten Hag secured a 5-0 aggregate win over Nottingham Forest, and will be leading the team to Wembley for the final where they will face Eddie Howe’s in-form Newcastle United.
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