As Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial emerged from the Portuguese’s shadow to score in Manchester United’s 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, the club made a positive start to life without Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, in order to make the Red Devils more effective in the final third, manager Erik ten Hag is still looking for a striker to replace Ronaldo in the transfer market. After an explosive interview in which he took aim at Ten Hag and the club’s owners, Ronaldo’s rollercoaster second stint at Old Trafford came to an abrupt end during the World Cup break.
Since the Dutch coach took over the team at the beginning of the season, his influence on the field had already diminished.
Under Ten Hag, Rashford has transformed into a player who brings his World Cup-winning performance for England into the Premier League.
Ten Hag stated to Amazon Prime, “Our players performed really well in the World Cup, I was happy to see that, and now they continue.” They must maintain that level, continue, and advance through each game.
United scored when Christian Eriksen found Rashford unmarked inside the area and swept the ball into the top corner after a brilliantly executed corner kick.
Dean Henderson, Forest’s first-choice goalkeeper, was on loan from Manchester United, so his backup Wayne Hennessey was at fault when the home team doubled their lead just three minutes later.
Rashford’s run down the left side set up Martial at the edge of the box, but the Frenchman’s shot shouldn’t have been able to beat the goalkeeper who plays for the Welsh national team.
United was likewise under-staffed at the back with Lisandro Martinez missing following Argentina’s Reality Cup festivities, Diogo Dalot harmed and Harry Maguire actually feeling the eventual outcomes of a sickness.
Consequently, Raphael Varane was forced to start, just nine days after playing 113 minutes for France in the World Cup final, while Luke Shaw played in a back four for the first time as a center-back.
However, Forest’s haphazard backline was hardly put to the test, and they have only scored one goal all season when playing at home in the league.
Willy Boly’s shot was disallowed for offside after a lengthy VAR review, despite the fact that Steve Cooper’s team did have the ball just before the break.
Gakpo is out of the picture The home team should have scored more goals in the second half, prompting Ten Hag to reiterate his request for a new striker.
Cody Gakpo is expected to join Liverpool from PSV Eindhoven, making United appear to have already missed out on a target.
Ten Hag continued, “We are looking for a striker because games are coming every three days.” We want to play in every league, but it’s hard. We need more players on the team because we hope to continue until the end of the season.
After excellent play from Rashford and Bruno Fernandes gave the Brazilian clear sight of the goal, Antony fired straight at Hennessey.
Hennessey likewise stood firm to block from Military and Rashford from short proximity, yet Joined, at last, got the third objective they merited a little ways from time.
To gain possession, the imposing Casemiro strode forward and selected Fred, a Brazilian teammate, who slid the ball into the far corner.
With the victory, United moves within one point of the top four and has a game in hand over Tottenham, who are in fourth place.
Forest is still in the relegation zone, but they are only one point away from safety.