Man Utd player ratings gallery vs Nottingham Forest - Four score 8/10 in 3-0 win as three get 7/10

Goals from Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Fred handed Manchester United the victory as they returned to Premier League action.

Manchester United picked up all three points on their return to the Premier League action as they beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 at Old Trafford.

Strikes from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial gave United a two-goal lead at the break before substitute Fred grabbed a third in the dying embers of the encounter.

The wet conditions impacted the opening stages of the contest at Old Trafford, with Tyrell Malacia producing the only chance of note in the first 15 minutes. He reacted quickest following Rashford’s blocked shot and his follow-up effort hit the post after squirming through the arms of Wayne Hennessey in the away goal.

But the Welsh goalkeeper was left stranded on 19 minutes when Rashford smashed the ball into the back of the net. United’s no.10 was picked out by Bruno Fernandes from an evidently pre-planned corner routine, with the ball slid into Rashford’s path inside the box before he powered it beyond Hennessey.

Within minutes it was 2-0. Again, Rashford was central to the move and following a quick counter attack he teed up Martial at the edge of the box. The Frenchman placed his shot towards goal and, despite it being relatively central, Hennessey struggled to get down in time to keep out the effort.

United could have gone in with just a one-goal advantage when Ryan Yates headed into the home goal following a free-kick at the end of the opening period. But after a lengthy VAR check it was chalked off, with Willy Boly deemed to have got the final touch after straying beyond the last defender.

The second half continued in a similar pattern, with United well on top without playing anywhere near their best. Hennessey did, however, have to be on hand to keep out a left-footed shot from Martial before he saved a Rashford effort with his feet.

The Wales stopper also flicked Casemiro’s lob over the crossbar, while Fernandes nearly chipped him from around 35 yards, although it just skimmed the roof of the net. Meanwhile, other than a Brennan Johnson flick which was saved by David de Gea, Forest produced very little.

United made their dominance pay late on as Casemiro split open the opposition with a through ball, and Fred calmly slotted it into the bottom corner to make it 3-0 for the Red Devils.

Here’s how we rated the players...

The wet conditions impacted the opening stages of the contest at Old Trafford, with Tyrell Malacia producing the only chance of note in the first 15 minutes. He reacted quickest following Rashford’s blocked shot and his follow-up effort hit the post after squirming through the arms of Wayne Hennessey in the away goal.