TAKE A BAO ANTHONY

Martial sparks United into life and seals date with Magpies at Wembley

A FIRST trophy in six years is within touching distance for Manchester United.

Erik ten Hag said such a wait was “too long” for a club of United’s stature and he now has the chance to end it in his first season in charge.

Late goals from Anthony Martial and Fred sealed the win on the night, although the tie was won in the first leg, which United won comfortably 3-0.

United’s last piece of silverware was the

Europa League under Jose Mourinho, back in 2017, since when they have failed to deliver a trophy.

But, under Ten Hag, United remain in the hunt for four and will have a crack at the first against Newcastle in the EFL Cup final on February 26.

It is United’s first final since losing the 2021 Europa League to Villarreal in a penalty shoot-out and their first domestic one since 2018, when Chelsea beat them to win the FA Cup.

Victory made it seven domestic cuptie wins for Ten Hag this season with United, continuing an impressive run which began at his former club Ajax.

As well as winning three Dutch titles, Ten Hag also won three Dutch Cups at Ajax, losing just three of 22 domestic cup games. The United boss made six changes from the side that beat Reading 3-1 in the FA Cup, although there was no place in the starting line-up for skipper Harry Maguire.

Nottingham Forest had not played since the first leg, with boss Steve Cooper making four changes as he tried to pull off a remarkable comeback against all the odds.

Former United winger Jesse Lingard was named in the Forest starting lineup to face his old club but was injured in the warm-up and replaced by Emmanuel Dennis.

Despite facing a seemingly insurmountable task to turn the tie around, Forest began brightly, playing with an attacking intent, refusing to roll over and accept their fate.

United’s main threat early on came

down the left flank through Alejandro Garnacho, Ten Hag’s players finding him as often as they could so he could run at Forest’s defence.

Ultimately, though, neither side was able to make an early breakthrough, although United’s first-leg lead meant there was no pressure on them.

But it was the home side who became more dominant as the first half went on, pinning Forest back and putting them under increased pressure.

Forest’s first glimpse of the United goal came just after the half-hour mark when Brennan Johnson cut in from the right but sent a shot straight at

Tom Heaton. Moments later, at the other end, Antony let fly from 25 yards, his left-footed effort fizzing past Forest keeper Wayne Hennessey but over the bar.

Forest threatened again just before the break, Dennis turning the ball goalbound, only for his team-mate Sam Surridge to get in its path and block it from going in.

Garnacho was involved in an altercation with Johnson after the break and, when the pair clashed again moments later, Ten Hag decided to replace the youngster.

The United boss made a triple change, bringing on Marcus Rashford, Martial and Jadon Sancho, whose introduction after three months out drew the biggest cheer. And Martial (left) made the breakthrough in the 74th minute, steering a first-time shot into the far corner of the net after Rashford’s initial effort had been blocked.

Fred made it 2-0 two minutes later, unmarked at the far post and able to nudge the ball over the line from Rashford’s pass back across the goal.

Old Trafford defender Luke Shaw saluted his team-mates and the crowd. “The boys are in a really good moment. The crowd are with us and now we can really look forward to the final,” he said.

“There’s no point going to a final unless you win it

“It’s a massive opportunity for us but Newcastle are an extremely good team so it will be tough.”