Manchester United are halfway through to Wembley Stadium following an emphatic 3-0 victory over Super Eagles duo of Taiwo Awoniyi and Emmanuel Dennis’s Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday.

Taiwo Awoniyi missed the clash against the Red Devils due to injury while Emmanuel Dennis was subbed on in the second half but could not save his team from humiliation at the City Ground.

Midfield veteran Casemiro was back in action for the Red Devils after missing United’s 3-2 defeat to Arsenal over the weekend due to suspension.

Marcus Rashford opened the scoring for United just six minutes into the game – he picked up Casemiro’s counterattack, dribbling past Forest defenders to lash the ball into the net with his left foot.

The England international has now found the back of the net ten times in his last ten matches and also took his total goal tally for United in all competitions for Man United this season to eighteen.

In the 24th minute, Sam Surridge thought he had equalised for the host from a counterattack but was ruled out for an offside by VAR before Wout Weghorst netted his first goal for United to extend the advantage before halftime.

Nottingham Forest looked rejuvenated in the second half of the game, launching several attempts in United’s territory inside the opening minutes of the half but the brilliant Red Devils defenders were able to absorb the pressure.

Close to the final whistle of the match, Bruno Fernandes latched Anthony Elanga’s tipped assist directly towards Forest goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, who couldn’t stop the shot to seal the victory for the Red Devils as United sought to end its five-year trophy drought.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United beat Joe Aribo’s Southampton 1-0 at home in the other semi-final fixture, which took place at the St Mary’s Stadium. Joelinton scored the only goal in the encounter to put ‘The Magpies’ halfway through to the Wembley.

The second leg of the semifinals will take place next week, then the winners from the round will lock horns in the final of this year’s competition scheduled to hold on February 26 at the Wembley Stadium.