Talking points: United 2 Nottingham Forest 0

We will now face Newcastle United on Sunday 26 February, marking a chance for us to win silverware in Erik ten Hag’s first year in charge. 

Goals from Anthony Martial and Fred in the second leg secured an aggregate win of 5-0, with United completing a comprehensive cup double over Steve Cooper's side. 

Here are the key talking points from Wednesday’s second leg against Forest… 

SANCHO RETURNS

Just after the half-hour mark, Ten Hag sent Jadon Sancho out to warm-up and our no.25 was met by the almighty roar of Old Trafford and fans chanting his name. The England international has been out of action for United since the 1-1 draw away to Chelsea in October.  On the hour, ‘Sancho, Sancho, Sancho’ rang around the Theatre of Dreams to welcome him onto the pitch for his official return to first-team football. Steve Cooper, his former coach for England Under-17s, hugged the winger at the end and wished him well. Good to see you back, Jadon!

BRUNO, BRUNO, BRUNO

Bruno, Bruno, Bruno! A song we’ve heard countless times was, unsurprisingly, belted out around Old Trafford this evening. Our no.8 was in form, delivering yet another sublime display in every area of the pitch. Whether it was executing outrageous passes – including that outside-of-the-boot ball into Marcus Rashford, who assisted Fred for the second goal – or putting in big challenges, fans inside the ground were appreciating his every move. His performance ended in a deserved Player of the Match award from broadcasters Sky Sports.

SABITZER LOOKS ON

United newcomer, Marcel Sabitzer, watched on from the stands as his new team-mates beat Nottingham Forest to secure a place in the final. The Austria international was a deadline-day signing for the Reds, joining on loan from German side Bayern Munich. With Christian Eriksen suffering a long-term injury in our Emirates FA Cup win against Reading, Sabitzer could play a key role in Ten Hag’s side once fully integrated into the squad. 

MARTIAL EQUALS BECKHAM’S TALLY

Upon his return to football, after a spell on the sidelines through injury, Martial got his name on the scoresheet again. The move began with great initiative from Casemiro in the middle of the pack, who immediately set us away after winning the ball back. Martial picked the ball up and went on a gliding run before playing in Rashford, but the pass was intercepted and fell back into the path of the Frenchman who fired home to give us the lead. That goal takes him to 85, equalling David Beckham’s overall tally and becoming joint-25th in the all-time chart.

TEN HAG’S WEMBLEY-BOUND REDS

At his first time of asking, Erik ten Hag has led his Manchester United to a domestic final. It is our first shot at a trophy under the Dutchman since his arrival in the summer, bringing to a close the first of four competitions we are still competing in this season. We’re set to face Newcastle United, who beat Southampton, on Sunday 26 February at Wembley in what will be our 10th appearance in the final of the League Cup.