Manchester United returned to Premier League action with a routine 3-0 victory over a recharged Nottingham Forest.
Two goals in four first-half minutes from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial all but sealed the win for Erik ten Hag, who'd had to deal with an outbreak of illness in his squad over the festive period. Forest threatened to chop down the Red Devils' lead as half-time dawned, but Willy Boly's goal was ruled out for offside after a lengthy VAR check.
Close to ending the calendar year on a high before they travel to Wolves on Saturday, United's third goal through Fred made sure that they'll definitely be in fifth place come 2023. For Steve Cooper, his side are staring into the abyss, and despite three clean sheets in their previous five league games, Forest could find themselves bottom of the table when they next play on New Year's Day.
Here are seven talking points from Old Trafford.
1. Ill health and wealth
It's safe to say a portion of the positivity surrounding Manchester United's return to Premier League action was washed away when fans learned that Liverpool had hijacked their move for PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo. Despite Erik ten Hag making him his top target agreed of the January transfer window, the Red Devils' arch-rivals came from nowhere on Boxing Day to officially agree a £45million deal.
And it got even more glum for United when they learned that illness had stuck the camp. The absences of Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Scott McTominay from the starting XI forced left-back Luke Shaw to fill in at centre-back. At least Ten Hag could be pleased to see World Cup finalist Raphael Varane return to his side.
2. Rashford gives Ten Hag perfect response
After a stuttering first 20 minutes at a sodden Old Trafford, Marcus Rashford broke the deadlock for the Red Devils with a deft first-time finish to convert a Christian Eriksen corner routine straight off the training ground. Not only was it the fourth successive home game in which he's found the back of the net, taking him into double figures for the season, but the England star also made good on his manager's pre-match praise, as Ten Hag backed him to hit the 20 mark this term.
"I think he is capable of scoring 20 goals in the Premier League. He got three in the World Cup [for England] so we know the potential to score those numbers in the Premier League," the United manager explained. "We are aware we have lost a striker so need to get one in, but he has to be the right one who brings quality into the team, not just adding to the squad. The criteria is high here at Man United."
3. Hennessey fumbles his opportunity
When you're a backup goalkeeper, the chance to impress doesn't come around too often and as any shot-stopper will tell you, always being prepared is paramount. For Nottingham Forest's Wayne Hennessey, he had all season to anticipate playing at Old Trafford, with Dean Henderson ineligible for face his parent club.
Unfortunately for the Welshman, his first Premier League appearance in 359 days just looked like a continuation of his nightmare World Cup campaign. Having been sent off in Wales' second group-stage match, Hennessey made another howler after only 22 minutes by letting Anthony Martial's tame effort slip through his fingers.
Set off by Casemiro's crunching tackle, Ten Hag enjoyed watching Bruno Fernandes and Rashford's slick build-up play, whereas Steve Cooper will no-doubt have watched the goal transpire wishing first-choice 'keeper Henderson was still between the posts. For Hennessey, who turns 36 in January, six league games in four years is a clear indication of his dwindling career at the top level.
4. United's late let-off
When the best teams take the lead, they don't let up. Unfortunately, Ten Hag's men are far from the finished article and going onto autopilot after their second goal highlighted that truth. The Red Devils were sleepwalking towards half-time, offering Forest the chance to pull a goal back on multiple occasions.
When Ryan Yates' header found its way into David de Gea's net in the 40th minute, the visitors looked have taken advantage. As Forest wheeled away to celebrate their first goal away from home since August, referee Anthony Taylor was quickly alerted to a VAR check for both a potential handball by Yates and possible offside.
While the ball was found not to have brushed the Forest midfielder's arm, it did take a significant deflection off defender Willy Boly's leg to divert it beyond De Gea. A lengthy check resulted in the right call, as United went into the break with their two-goal lead intact but reasons to be wary of their opponents.
5. Lingard's belated goodbye
A Manchester United player for 22 of his 29 years on planet Earth, Jesse Lingard was released by the club with little fanfare back in May. The former England international wasn't pleased and he'd have desperately wanted to make a statement when he returned for the first time here.
Sadly for him, the sight of heavy strapping around his thigh emerged in the 53nd minute, as he dropped to the deck following a largely another performance. Quickly replaced by substitute Lewis O'Brien, Linagrd walked around half of the pitch to a standing ovation from Old Trafford crowd, who paid tribute to his services since the age of seven.
6. Forest's travelling troubles
Saturday, August 20 - that was the day Nottingham Forest last scored an away goal in the Premier League and it'll remain their only one in 2022. While Cooper's men may look more sturdy at the back, their troubles when it comes to finding the back of the net on the road are well documented - much in contrast to United's six-game winning run at home, their best form since December 2017.
Have your say! Where will Man Utd finish this season? Give us your prediction in the comments section.
Rock bottom of the away table without a win, owner Evangelos Marinakis will be aware of the team's deficiencies and it'd be no surprise if the City Ground welcomes a raft of new faces in January. Having brought in a whopping 21 additions over the summer, it's fair to say Cooper could do with a few more men to bolster the squad for a relegation battle.
7. Samba connection shows Casemiro's class
Minutes after Alan Shearer mentioned him being in the running for Amazon's Man of the Match award, Casemiro showed that he could replicate his excellent defensive work with a superb piece of attacking play. As the Red Devils went searching for a third goal, their midfield general played in his Brazilian compatriot, Fred, and the substitute slotted past Hennessey to put the cherry on top.
