Nottingham Forest have failed to score a first-half goal in 11 of their 16 games, no team has failed to do so more often in the Premier League this season.

United have a record of six wins out of six when leading at half-time in the league in 2022-23.

Patrice Evra
Former Manchester United defender on Amazon Prime

Everything was positive during this first half. The intensity, the enthusiasm. It's a really amazing team performance.

Casemiro has been the heart of this team and both of the strikers, Marcus Rashford and Martial. Especially Martial because I said he needed to score a goal and that's what he did. They need to keep the same discipline because I feel Nottingham Forest can hurt Man United on set pieces.

Well, the first half couldn't have gone much better for United.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Image source, AMA

And that's the first half. Manchester United went ahead as they caught Forest napping from a corner. Christian Eriksen played it low to Marcus Rashford and he lashed it home, before three minutes later Rashford set up Anthony Martial and he made it 2-0, although Wayne Hennessey should have done better.

Forest thought they had got one back late on when Ryan Yates' header from a free-kick was nudged on by Willy Boly. But, after a lengthy VAR review, Boly was judged offside and the goal was ruled out.

In the Manchester rain, it's the hosts who lead 2-0 and looking comfortable.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at Old Trafford

I interviewed new PGMOL referees' chief Howard Webb last week.

He said the tricky VARs were always the one with multiple incidents.

That was a prime example. Was it handball? If not, was it offside?

The margins were fine on both occasions. The answers, no and yes.

Man Utd fans chant 'VAR', Forest's say they want to do something to VAR.

Alan Shearer
Former England striker on Amazon Prime

It did look offside. They were happy with it not hitting his hand or his arm but it did look offside and Boly got that final touch at the near post.

We had a check for a handball and then a check for offside. Ryan Yates' header was diverted in by Willy Boly.

And, just about, Boly is judged offside. The goal doesn't stand. United's lead is two goals.

Image source, Manchester United

We're still checking. Still waiting. It's taking ages. Goal or not?

We have a VAR check. Nervous moments for Forest. Will the goal stand?

The final touch may have actually come from Willy Boly at the back post, after the earlier header from Ryan Yates.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at Old Trafford

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is sat not too far away to my right.

This can't be an easy watch for him.

Marinakis has signed 24 players since Forest were promoted to the Premier League.

Just before the World Cup, there were signs manager Steve Cooper was starting to mould something together.

Evidently, there is still a lot of work to do. Forest still look a bit short of the class required to prosper at this level.

Christian Eriksen looks to release Marcus Rashford sprinting through the middle and the United players are enjoying themselves out there tonight. This time the pass is incomplete, but Forest are being pulled all over the place.

Home goalkeeper David de Gea is called into action for the first time and Ryan Yates blasts an effort at goal.

De Gea is not too sure what to do with it, but gets his body behind the shot, with the ball bouncing off his chest and away for a corner, which comes to nothing.

Marcus Rashford, with a goal and an assist so far today, now has five Premier League goals and three assists this season.

Image source, Reuters

Stuart: Amazing what happens when you remove Cristiano Ronaldo. Far better team without him.

Jack: United looking really good here. People forget the season before Ronaldo arrived they finished 2nd with a far inferior midfield. No surprises now he's gone they're looking more slick as a team.

Marcus Rashford is pulled back by Orel Mangala and that's a clear yellow card for the Forest man.

It's a yellow card for Manchester United left-back Tyrell Malacia for a foul on Remo Freuler, but it looks a harsh one as he looked to have won the ball.