Four things Erik ten Hag got right as Man Utd see off Nottingham Forest to reach Wembley

On Feb 1, 2023

Manchester United cruised into the League Cup final with an unconvincing but yet comfortable win over Nottingham Forest.

Erik ten Hag’s side’s 3-0 victory over Steve Cooper’s men in the first leg meant they were able to play most of the match in second gear. And it was well into the second half before substitue Anthony Martial finished off a sharp counter attack by bundling home a deflected effort from Marcus Rashford that fell kindly into his path. But if the first goal was scrappy, United’s second was sublime. Bruno Fernandes found Rashford at the back post with an inch perfect cross, and the Englishman responded by prodding the ball back across goal for Fred to tap in from two yards.

Despite the goals, the biggest cheer of the evening was reserved for Jadon Sancho, who was brought off the bench for his first appearance since October 22 – Daily Star Sport considers four things Ten Hag got right, after United set up a mouth watering League Cup Final meeting against Newcastle United.

Rashford on the bench

Rashford was on the bench for the contest

Marcus Rashford has been in the zone in recent week – the last thing a manager wants to do is take them out of it. However, Ten Hag is a calculated individual who would have likely made this decision after the first leg.

Considering United’s recent drop off from the title race after drawing with Crystal Palace and losing to Arsenal, the Dutchman will want his main man fit and firing against Patrick Vieira’s side this weekend. Fortunately for him, Rashford is a grounded, humble individual who would not be agitating for a start too much.

Rashford may be one of the in form forwards in world football, but the United frontline still carried plenty of zip without the No.10. United are battling on four fronts this season. With United’s attack beginning to fall flat in the second half, Ten Hag brought him on from the bench along with Sancho and Rashford. They trio had an immediate effect on the game – Ten Hag could not have asked for much more than that.

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Alejandro Garnacho inclusion

Garnacho was offered a much needed start on the left wing for United
(Image: Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

With Ten Hag opting to rest Rashford, Garnacho was deployed in the Englishman’s stead. Operating off the left flank, Garnacho terrorised Neco Williams throughout the whole contest.

He arguably outshone his United opposite number Antony, who once again endured another quiet evening on the right wing. The Argentine carved himself a wonderful opportunity in the second half when he dribbled past two Forest defenders before firing an effort into the near post of Hennessey.

However, there is an edge ton Garnacho which United fans would love, He routinely found himself bickering and winding up Forest players. His potential is there for everybody to see, but there is also plenty of character. This could be the difference between Garnacho becoming a regular feature in the starting eleven or not.

Jadon Sancho’s first appearance

Sancho looked delighted when he came on from the bench
(Image: 2023 Getty Images)

The absence of Jadon Sancho has been a huge elephant in the room over the last few weeks. Ten Hag has previously claimed Sancho needs to overcome “physical and mental issues” he has endured this season.

Rashford’s brilliance and United’s good form has fortunately taken up most of the column inches and uploads which may have been focussed on the former Borussia Dortmund ace’s absence. However, Sancho’s introduction in the second half was a huge step in the right direction. A child-like smile emerged on his face when the United fans welcomed his return with a huge cheer and raucous chants of “Sancho, Sancho, Sancho!” Interestingly, Sancho was deployed in a more central role, which could be a sign of things to come.

Ten Hag has worked his magic on Rashford this season and he may well do the same with Sancho. If he is able to rediscover the form which convinced United to spend £73million on the England international, United will have one of the best frontlines in Europe.

Unchanged backline

Ten Hag’s first choice backline is still not quite at its best

This maybe more of a coincidence than a direct cause, but United are yet to record a Premier League victory in 2023 when Wan-Bissaka, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, and Luke Shaw have all featured in the back four. Martinez’s extended leave to celebrate Argentina’s World Cup victory means Ten Hag’s apparent, preferred backline, have only been deployed against Palace and Arsenal respectively in the league.

While nobody could be blamed for Michael Olise’s stunning free-kick at Selhurst Park, Ten Hag was very unhappy with his side’s defending against Arsenal. When working as a collective, the back four may have been suffering with some post-World Cup rustiness. There were also many sloppy moments against Cooper’s side, particularly in the first half.

The only way they can all get back on the same page is by playing as many games as possible on the pitch. Considering this match was essentially a dead rubber, barring a remarkable Forest comeback, Ten Hag was right to deploy his favoured back four as a means of re-discovering some of their sharpness.