United stalks the Champions League positions

Erik ten Hag is solving ballots at Old Trafford. Slowly but surely. Despite the bad start and the mess with Cristiano Ronaldo during the first part of the campaign, the red devils changed course in the weeks leading up to the World Cup. Overcome the group stage of the Europa League, advancing in the League Cup, and also stalking the Champions League positions.

Sin Cristiano Ronaldo, who parted ways with the English club before traveling to Qatar, men like Marcus Rashford or Anthony Martial shine. And with promises like that of the Spanish-Argentine Alejandro Garnacho. The latter scored the winning goal against Fulham, on the last day before the World Cup. The first two did the same against Nottingham Forest in the return of the Premier League, and in the last game of the year for both teams.

Manchester United dealt two lethal blows in two minutes. Ten Hag’s board allowed Rashford to open the scoring in the 20th minute. After a low corner from Eriksen, Several local players covered the coverage of their visiting markers, allowing the English striker to receive alone, without pressure. He did not err. Seconds later he assisted Martial. Casemiro, another of the proper names in the recovery of the Mancunians in recent months prevented Taiwo Awoyini from penetrating the area. He stole and offered the ball to Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese saw Rashford’s start and found him with a sublime pass.

Enough. Despite Nottingham Forest’s disbursement, the two-time European champion closes the year in relegation places. They have problems against the opposite goal. Ryan Yates appeared to score Forest’s second league goal away from home, but VAR confirmed the ball was last touched by Willy Boly, who was offside. It was the only reply from Steve Cooper’s team along with a previous action that David De Gea solved by clearing the ball for a corner with his chest. Insufficient for visitors, comfortable for the locals, who are stalking the Champions League. They are one point behind Tottenham having played one game less. Casemiro returned to propitiate a goal for his own with a new recovery, and with an assist to Fred in the final minutes.