Talking points: Man Utd 3 Nottingham Forest 0 | Premier League

VARANE LEADING BY EXAMPLE

Raphael Varane was a talking point prior to the game when he was named in the starting line-up just nine days after his World Cup heartbreak with France in Qatar. The Frenchman earned the plaudits of his manager, who labelled him a ‘leader’ who takes responsibility. He was called upon after illness affected both Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof, with the England international making the bench. 

And just as we’ve come to expect from Varane, it was yet another top-drawer performance from the 29-year-old who was cool, calm and collected all evening, leading the way alongside Luke Shaw. 

STRAIGHT FROM THE TRAINING GROUND

Don’t you just love it when a plan comes together? Our opening goal against Forest was the epitome of exactly that. Christian Eriksen’s perfectly timed ball into the box was met by the oncoming Rashford, who escaped the huddle of players without detection and stroked the ball into the back of the net. From start to finish, it was an utterly sublime move crafted wonderfully by United.