Manchester United 2-0 Nottingham Forest (5-0 agg): Martial on target as Red Devils comfortably book
Anthony Martial marked his return from injury with a goal to seal a 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest and book Manchester United's place in the EFL Cup final at Wembley.
With a comfortable 3-0 aggregate lead since the first leg, United's position never looked like a real threat, but the hosts struggled to capitalize on their chances.
Wout Weghorst hit the post in the first half and United continued to be unable to convert in the opening rallies of the second half until a triple change on the hour mark.
Martial finally broke that deadlock after 73 minutes, with Fred then slotting in from close range to add more shine to the scoreline and earn a date against Newcastle United.
A slow start saw few opportunities for either side until Casemiro's header from a Luke Shaw free-kick forced a fine save from the feet of Wayne Hennessey, while Antony launched an effort fierce distance above the bar.
Forest had a golden opportunity before the break, a deflected cross falling into the path of Emmanuel Dennis - a late addition to Forest's line-up after Jesse Lingard went down with an injury - to strike on goal, but his attempt was blocked by teammate Sam Surridge.
Wout Weghorst then saw a header bounce off the post with Hennessy beaten as the score at the break remained as it was in the first leg.
On the hour mark, Alejandro Garnacho tested Hennessey at the near post after passing Neco Williams, before a triple change saw Jadon Sancho make his long-awaited return, with Martial and Marcus Rashford also introduced.
p>The changes breathed life into the hosts and eventually broke the deadlock, with Martial heading home on his return from injury after Rashford's effort gently deflected his way.
United quickly doubled their lead in the second leg, with Fred at the far post to head home after Rashford clipped a cross through the middle.
What does this mean? Wembley is waiting for you
United's February schedule already featured a number of eye-catching fixtures and now fans can add the EFL Cup final on February 26 to that list.
Erik ten Hag's side will face a Premier League double tie against Leeds United and two Europa League clashes against Barcelona, although the showdown at the end of the month against Newcastle is arguably more significant.< /p>
United have not won a trophy since the EFL Cup and Europa League in the 2016-17 season, but they will be confident of ending that six-year wait.
Rashford's record
Coming off the bench, Rashford's two assists took the England international's tally to 18 goals in his last 15 appearances in the competition - scoring 12 and assisting six.
The United Academy graduate has found new life this season under Ten Hag and continues to be an outstanding asset.
Bad omens
For only the fourth time in their EFL Cup history, United have won both legs of a semi-final (in 16 two-leg competitions).
The three times they have done so before, they have lost in the final (1982-83, 1990-91 and 1993-94).
Key facts about Opta:
– United have reached the EFL Cup final for the 10th time, with only Liverpool (13) having played more.
– Ten Hag's side have won their last 12 home games in all competitions, their longest streak since a streak of 12 between May and December 2017. It's also their longest winning streak at Old Trafford in a single season since December-May in 2010-11 (17).
– Forest have lost their last nine meetings with United in all competitions, extending their longest losing streak against a single opponent.
– United have kept 16 clean sheets in 33 appearances in all competitions this season, with no Premier League team keeping more.
- With two assists on the bench, United's Rashford has now been involved in 25 goals in all competitions this season (18 goals, 7 assists), the second highest total for a Premier League player after Erling Haaland of Manchester City (34 ).
What's next?
United return to the Premier League at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday, while Forest welcome Leeds United the following day.
Anthony Martial marked his return from injury with a goal to seal a 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest and book Manchester United's place in the EFL Cup final at Wembley.
With a comfortable 3-0 aggregate lead since the first leg, United's position never looked like a real threat, but the hosts struggled to capitalize on their chances.
Wout Weghorst hit the post in the first half and United continued to be unable to convert in the opening rallies of the second half until a triple change on the hour mark.
Martial finally broke that deadlock after 73 minutes, with Fred then slotting in from close range to add more shine to the scoreline and earn a date against Newcastle United.
A slow start saw few opportunities for either side until Casemiro's header from a Luke Shaw free-kick forced a fine save from the feet of Wayne Hennessey, while Antony launched an effort fierce distance above the bar.
Forest had a golden opportunity before the break, a deflected cross falling into the path of Emmanuel Dennis - a late addition to Forest's line-up after Jesse Lingard went down with an injury - to strike on goal, but his attempt was blocked by teammate Sam Surridge.
Wout Weghorst then saw a header bounce off the post with Hennessy beaten as the score at the break remained as it was in the first leg.
On the hour mark, Alejandro Garnacho tested Hennessey at the near post after passing Neco Williams, before a triple change saw Jadon Sancho make his long-awaited return, with Martial and Marcus Rashford also introduced.
p>The changes breathed life into the hosts and eventually broke the deadlock, with Martial heading home on his return from injury after Rashford's effort gently deflected his way.
United quickly doubled their lead in the second leg, with Fred at the far post to head home after Rashford clipped a cross through the middle.
What does this mean? Wembley is waiting for you
United's February schedule already featured a number of eye-catching fixtures and now fans can add the EFL Cup final on February 26 to that list.
Erik ten Hag's side will face a Premier League double tie against Leeds United and two Europa League clashes against Barcelona, although the showdown at the end of the month against Newcastle is arguably more significant.< /p>
United have not won a trophy since the EFL Cup and Europa League in the 2016-17 season, but they will be confident of ending that six-year wait.
Rashford's record
Coming off the bench, Rashford's two assists took the England international's tally to 18 goals in his last 15 appearances in the competition - scoring 12 and assisting six.
The United Academy graduate has found new life this season under Ten Hag and continues to be an outstanding asset.
Bad omens
For only the fourth time in their EFL Cup history, United have won both legs of a semi-final (in 16 two-leg competitions).
The three times they have done so before, they have lost in the final (1982-83, 1990-91 and 1993-94).
Key facts about Opta:
– United have reached the EFL Cup final for the 10th time, with only Liverpool (13) having played more.
– Ten Hag's side have won their last 12 home games in all competitions, their longest streak since a streak of 12 between May and December 2017. It's also their longest winning streak at Old Trafford in a single season since December-May in 2010-11 (17).
– Forest have lost their last nine meetings with United in all competitions, extending their longest losing streak against a single opponent.
– United have kept 16 clean sheets in 33 appearances in all competitions this season, with no Premier League team keeping more.
- With two assists on the bench, United's Rashford has now been involved in 25 goals in all competitions this season (18 goals, 7 assists), the second highest total for a Premier League player after Erling Haaland of Manchester City (34 ).
What's next?
United return to the Premier League at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday, while Forest welcome Leeds United the following day.
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