Ronaldo who?! Manchester United scored an encouraging win over Nottingham Forest on their return to Premier League action. It was their first competitive match since Cristiano Ronaldo ended his second stint at Old Trafford. Still, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial made sure the team in red shirts never missed the Portuguese superstar.The pair of forwards scored twice in space of just three first-half minutes to open a two-goal lead and condemn Steve Cooper’s team of playing catch-up of most of the rainy night in Manchester.Less than 20 minutes into the game, Christian Eriksen took a low corner right onto the foot of Rashford, who sliced it perfectly into the far corner and beyond the reach of goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.Another forward who couldn’t get a game under the previous regime at Old Trafford, Anthony Martial, showed that he hasn’t forgotten how to play football. Casemiro did great to win the ball just in front of his area and he swiftly fed it to Rashford. The Englishmen in turn found Martial, who struck a low shot towards the bottom corner. Hennessey dropped low and got a touch to it, but it wasn’t enough to keep it out. The Welsh ‘keeper could only watch the ball roll into the back of the net.Ryan Yates scored with a fine header and sent the travelling fans into dreamland with celebrations. Sadly for Forest, the celebrations were short-lived. The goal was disallowed after a VAR review because Willy Boly took a slight touch of the ball as it was on its way to the net, making him offside.##NAJAVA_MECA_6911585##Bruno Fernandes tried an outrageous chip from the halfway line that ended up on the roof of the net. Ten Hag sent on Donny van de Beek, Harry Maguire and Alejandro Garnacho as the match slowed down. Forest never looked like upsetting the hosts, and the hosts were happy with the result. However, there was still time for United’s Brazilian duo to strike. The Red Devils sealed the points three minutes from time when Casemiro proved the difference maker once more. He fed the ball into the path of Fred, who hit a sublime left-footer to make it 3-0.Ronaldo is now in the past, and United are playing football again. Perhaps their position would have been even better – had the egotistical Portuguese departed sooner.PREMIER LEAGUE – ROUND 17MondayBrentford – Tottenham 2-2 (1-0)/Janelt 15, Toney 54 – Kane 65, Hojbjerg 71/Leicester – Newcastle 0-3 (0-3)/Wood 3 pen, Almiron 7, Joelinton 32/Southampton – Brighton 1-3 (0-2)/Ward-Prowse 74 – Lallana 15, Perraud 35 og, March 56/Everton – Wolverhampton 1-2 (1-1)/Mina 7 – Podence 22, Ait Nouri 90+5/Crystal Palace – Fulham 0-3 (0-1)/Reid 32, Reim 71, Mitrovic 81/Aston Villa – Liverpool 1-3 (0-2)/Watkins 59 – Salah 5, van Dijk 32, Bajcetic 80/Arsenal – West Ham 3-1 (0-1)/Saka 53, Martinelli 59, Nketiah 69 – Benrahma 27 pen/TuesdayChelsea – Bournemouth 2-0 (2-0)/Havertz 16, Mount 24/Manchester United – Nottingham Forest 3-0 (2-0)/Rashford 19, Martial 22, Fred 87/Wednesday23:00: (9.00) Leeds (5.60) Man.City (1.35)***odds are subject to change***
