United ease past Forest into Carabao Cup final

It will take more than the Carabao Cup to prove Manchester United are back, but it could prove a significant step in their renaissance nonetheless. Erik ten Hag is one win away from the first silverware of his reign, United needing only one victory to end a six-year trophy drought. A semi-final was in effect decided in Nottingham last week. The formalities were concluded with a 12th consecutive triumph at Old Trafford. Newcastle United await in a repeat of the 1999 FA Cup final, and Manchester United would appreciate the same result.

- RICHARD JOLLY

Manchester United (5-0 on aggregate) Martial (73), Fred (76) 2

Nottingham Forest 0

AT OLD TRAFFORD

Part of the significance lay in Jadon Sancho's return, with the winger making his first appearance since October and greeted by a loud cheer by the United fans. The first goal came from a forward whose absence was briefer. Anthony Martial came off the bench to make his first appearance since the Manchester derby and lashed in a shot after he tried to find Marcus Rashford. Instead, Scott McKenna blocked but redirected the ball to the Frenchman.

The second came courtesy of Fred, who had an audition for an extended role in the team in Christian Eriksen's absence.

Kneeing the ball in, courtesy of Rashford's unselfish assist after a Bruno Fernandes diagonal ball, may not be the crucial factor but the ebullient Brazilian got the Stretford End singing about Wembley.