Wan-Bissaka dinks a ball in from the right. Rashford takes it down at the far post, cuts back, then fires into a thicket of players. The ball breaks left to Malacia, who creams a drive goalwards. Hennessey parries a little clumsily onto the left-hand post. But it’s enough to get the job done. Forest clear.
Luke Shaw is playing as emergency centre back tonight, incidentally, alongside World Cup finalist Varane. Not ideal for United, but do Forest have enough to test the bespoke partnership. A little bit of possession for Forest now. Aurier loops the ball into the United box from the right. Shaw heads it clear.
Manchester United counter, Fernandes nearly getting the better of Worrall down the left. The Forest defender stands firm and doesn’t let him past. Neat play all round. Manchester United spend the first minute pinging it around the back to get a feel of the ball. Casemiro earns the first gasp of the evening with a cute flick in the centre circle.
The teams are out! Manchester United in their famous red, white and black, Nottingham Forest in second-choice yellow. This will be the last time Forest wear a shirt without a sponsor this season: they’ll carry the logo of UK for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in the New Year.
The club explain how it will be “a sign of solidarity for families who have been forced to flee their homes and communities.” There’s a moment of warm applause in memory of 1966 World Cup legend George Cohen, who recently passed. We’ll be off in a minute.
@MarcusRashford goal against @NFFC ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/8C1g2X62kT
— arthur francisco (@arthurf94489352) December 27, 2022