MANCHESTER UNITED squeezed through in the FA Cup against Nottingham Forest.
The Red Devils were looking to bounce back from the weekend’s defeat against Fulham by booking a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals and a headline clash with Liverpool.
Harry Maguire had added to Erik ten Hag‘s selection misery before the game, with Sofyan Amrabat coming in to fill in at left-back as Victor Lindelof moved to centre-back.
Chances came early for Man Utd, with Antony hitting the bar and Scott McTominay placing a close-range header down Matt Turner‘s throat.
Man Utd struggled against the home side in wrestling for control of the game with both unable to break the deadlock despite high-quality chances.
That was until Casemiro got his head onto the end of a Bruno Fernandes cross in the 89th minute to seal a late 1-0 win.
Here’s how SunSport’s Graham Hill rated the Red Devils at the City Ground.
ANDRE ONANA – 8
Pulled off some excellent saves after a first half in which he was only called on once to keep out Taiwo Awoniyi, he came into his own though as Forest gained in confidence after the break.
DIOGO DALOT – 8
Made some intelligent moves forward to play his part, always looking to set up chances and showed some great vision at times as United pushed for an opening goal.
RAPHAEL VARANE – 6
Looked vulnerable when the pace and strength of Forest’s attack got into top gear, had his work cut out at times and was grateful for Onana’s saves at times.
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VICTOR LINDELOF – 6
Made a superb challenge on Taiwo Awoniyi before the break, and had to dig deep against the Forest attack with the home side.
SOFYAN AMRABAT – 6
A rare outing at full-back for the midfielder who had to be alert to deal with Forest’s pace – but was caught out a few times.
CASEMIRO – 8
Kept a cool head under pressure during the game – and was there to use his head when it mattered most at the end.
Produced a steady, solid display and stepped up his game whenever Forest looked more of a threat.
SCOTT MCTOMINAY – 7
Unlucky not to have put the tie out of Forest’s reach before the break as he was twice denied by Forest keeper Matt Turner – almost grabbed a fortunate opening goal.
ANTONY – 6
Brought back into the side and might have scored inside four minutes, only to hit the bar, looked keen to make an impression, but faded after the break and was subbed.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 8
The beating heart of United, the captain was involved in some key moves and always trying some way to find a way past Forest – his free-kick for the goal was superb.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 6
Despite United having more of the early stages, he struggled to get into the tie, threatened at times in the second half but not enough to really influence the game.
MARCUS RASHFORD – 5
Never got going, despite United dominating the early stages, he missed two clear chances to open the scoring but it was not his night.
SUBS:
AMAD DIALLO – 6
Replaced Anthony and played his part as United staged a successful late bid to win the tie at the death.