Nottingham Forest 0-1 Man Utd: Player ratings as Casemiro heads Red Devils into FA Cup quarter-finals

Manchester United left it late to advance to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup , beating Nottingham Forest with a solitary Casemiro goal at the City Ground.

The contest was initially bright from both teams, but quality had long since faded by the time United’s veteran Brazilian made the decisive impact.

United had two incredible opportunities to get ahead quickly, first as Antony, back in the starting lineup after being challenged by his manager to improve his form, struck the crossbar with a first-time finish as he arrived in the penalty area.

Antony was then involved in a promising move that saw Diogo Dalot land a superb cross on Scott McTominay’s head unmarked a few yards from goal. But it was too close to Forest goalkeeper Matt Turner. The American made an even better save half an hour in after the frenetic early pace of the game had subsided, showing impressive reflexes to deny the same player’s near post header.

Forest had plenty of opportunities of their own without ever properly testing Andre Onana, registering 12 shots in the first half alone and getting only two on target.

The hosts had the opening big chance of the second half, with Antony Elanga stretching the United defence and finding Taiwo Awoniyi, whose resultant effort was much too close to Onana. He needed strong wrists moments later to beat away Divock Origi’s powerful effort.

Overall, there had been a distinct lack of quality from both teams in the final third since the opening stages of the game. Bruno Fernandes was wayward in his shooting, while Forest put wicked balls into the box as the end of the 90 came into sight without anyone getting into the middle for them.

The game hadn’t been a spectacle since the early stages and the tie seemed destined for