ERIK CAN KOP THE CUP
Under-fire boss Ten Hag sniffs silverware as Casemiro sets up
THEY left it late, in keeping with their tradition, but Manchester United kept alive their hopes of a trophy with a winner a minute from normal time.
With extra-time looming and little sign of a breakthrough for either team, Casemiro turned in a free-kick from Bruno Fernandes, to book United’s quarter-final place.
It was not quite a Mark Robins moment, his famous goal at the same ground 34 years ago keeping Sir Alex
Ferguson in a job and United on course for FA Cup glory.
But it will have felt every bit as significant to United boss Erik ten Hag (left), whose future in the job is likely to hinge on him winning a trophy and securing a Champions League place.
While the latter seems unlikely, with United eight points off fourth spot with 12 games left, the former remains a realistic target.
Although they will have to overcome arch rivals Liverpool at home.
Given United’s wretched record at Old Trafford this season, losing eight times, victory over Jurgen Klopp’s Premier League leaders will be a big ask, particularly if Ten Hag’s men labour as much as they did here.
Had Forest been able to finish any of the chances they were able to create, there could well have been a different outcome.
But their shortcomings when it mattered ultimately saw Nuno Espirito Santo’s side come up short and United progress.
The Red Devils were boosted with skipper Bruno Fernandes and centre-back Raphael Varane both passed fit, after both were declared doubtful to start. United conjured the first chance after three minutes, Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho exchanging passes after a short corner, with Antony – restored to the starting line-up – clipping the bar with a dipping effort.
The visitors spurned another chance to take the lead four minutes later, Diogo Dalot crossing for Scott Mctominay, whose header was directed straight at Forest keeper Matt Turner, who palmed the ball away.
The pattern of missed opportunities continued when Marcus Rashford lashed a shot over the bar, when a more composed finish was required.
Forest nearly went ahead within a minute, a misplaced pass from Sofyan Amrabat to Varane seized upon by Taiwo Awoniyi, whose effort was tipped away by Andre Onana.
Fernandes does not have to try hard to be the focal point of ire from opposing fans, and he slipped comfortably into that role midway through the first-half.
He went down under an innocuous challenge, protesting he had been fouled. After referee Chris Kavanagh and his assistants
ignored his pleas, Fernandes was up on his feet to rejoin the United attack.
His swift recovery from apparent injury enraged the home support and ensured the Portuguese star was booed every time he touched the ball thereafter.
Mctominay forced a decent reflex save from Turner just after the half-hour mark, turning behind a glancing header from the United midfielder.
Twice inside the first five minutes of the restart, Onana was called upon to make vital saves, first from Awoniyi, then from Divock Origi, as
Forest pushed for the opener. But the winner came a minute from time, a free-kick from Fernandes turned in by Casemiro (celebrating, right) with the faintest of headers, to book United’s place in the quarter-finals.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST: Turner 6, Williams 6, Felipe 6, Murillo 6, Toffolo 6, Yates 6 (Reyna 90), Danilo 6 (Ribeiri 90), Elanga 6, Gibbs-white 6, Origi 6 (Hudsonodoi 79), Awoniyi 6
MAN UTD: Onana 7, Dalot 7, Varane 6, Lindelof 6, Amrabat 5 (Evans 90), Casemiro 7, Mctominay 6 (Mainoo 90),
Antony 5 (Amad 72, 6), Fernandes 6, Garnacho 6, Rashford 5