Match Report: Nottingham Forest 0-3 Manchester United. First Leg win for United.

Manchester United will be heading back to Old Trafford with a 3-0 lead after beating Nottingham Forest at the City Ground in the Carabao Cup semi final first leg. Goals from Marcus Rashford, Wout Weghorst and Bruno Fernandes has given United a big advantage going into the second leg, leaving Steve Cooper and Forest an uphill task for next week at Old Trafford. Steve Cooper made four changes to his side that drew at AFC Bournemouth on Saturday. Brazilian midfielder Danilo made his first start since making his move last week, he came in for Ryan Yates who was forced off on Saturday and was not featured tonight. Scott McKenna, Gustavo Scarpa and Sam Surridge was the other changes made to the team. Surridge with a deserved start after scoring on Saturday, Erik ten Hag made three changes to his side that were defeated by Premier League leaders Arsenal. Brazilian midfielder Casemiro returned to the side following his suspension. Victor Lindelof and Tyrell Malacia also came into the side. It took the visitors just five minutes to take the lead, Rashford picked up the ball on the half way line and broke into the Forest half. After dribbling his way past a number of Forest players, he smashed his shot past Wayne Hennessy at his near post to give the Red Devils the lead. That was the forwards fifth goal in his last six games. After 22 minutes, Forest thought they were level. The Reds caught United on the break. Morgan Gibbs-White led the attack by breaking into the opposition half before playing Surridge on the left and his calm first time finish beat De Gea. After a VAR check the goal was ruled out. A very tight call saw Surridge foot just offside and the striker was denied two gaols in two games. Just a couple of minutes later Scarpa almost opened his Forest account. A corner was cleared only as far as the Brazilian and his thunderous volley was brilliantly save by De Gea, as it was heading to the top corner. Since joining on a free Scarpa has really caught the eye of the Forest faithful and they will hope he continues. The visitors was then close to a se3cond. After a nice quick passing move on the edge of the box, Summer signing Antony found himself with a clear shot on goal but was denied brilliantly by Hennessey to keep the score down. The Welsh keeper has had to step up following an injury to on loan Manchester United keeper Dean Henderson,, who would have been ineligible to play tonight. Then United did get their second just before half time. Antony found his volley palmed away by Hennessy and the ball dropped to Wout Weghorst and he scored his first goal in United colours. The on loan Burnley striker caused problems all night due to his height and physicality. That was the final action for the first half as the visitors went in with a comfortable scoreline. United were the dominant side in the opening stages but Forest were growing into the game as the half went on until Weghorst got the second for the visitors. The home side was just struggling to find the back of the net. The second half showed not to be many big chances for ether side. The first real chance came for Eriksen. His shot from the edge of the area could only find the crossbar and then it eventually fell back to Rashford and his strike from distance was well saved by Hennessy. Gibbs-White then came close for Forest. After dispossessing Casemiro he got into the box and got his shot off and it just went wide. The battle between Gibbs-White and Casemiro was good to watch as they were both going at each other most of the game. Then Bruno Fernandes killed of the game with just two minutes from time. Substitute Neco Williams thought me managed to clear after tackling substitute Pellistri. But the ball stuck with United and Anthony Elanga managed to put it up for Fernandes to volley into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. That is now three goals in 4 games for tonight's captain and he will be looking to keep up his form. That goal was the final action of the game as Ten Hag and his team go into the second leg 3-0 up and a step closer to Wembley. There is a concern for Forest though as Gibbs-White was forced off with an injury. It will be a mountain to climb if Forest were to manage to overturn the score and get to Wembley. Ext up for Forest is that second leg at Old Trafford as they are not in action in the FA Cup after being knocked out by Championship Blackpool. For the Red Devils, they host Championship side Reading in the FA Cup in which is another competition they will look to go far in.