Marcus Rashford is a shoo-in for all player of the year shortlists if he continues to put in performances like this. The No 10 was the creative force behind Antony’s opener and Conor Coady’s own goal before scoring a stoppage-time penalty that came after Alejandro Garnacho was yanked down and which ensured Manchester United’s passage into the next round.

Of his star act, Erik ten Hag said: “Again, great performance, Marcus was the one who went in front and showed the confidence and the belief and good movements behind, taking the players on and for 90 minutes was a threat. When he keeps focus like that I am sure he can keep this process going.”

• Manchester United manager will not rush forward back
• Sancho ‘in a good direction’ but not ready yet says Ten Hag

Erik ten Hag admits he is “impatient” for Jadon Sancho to be available again but will not force the process because hurdles remain in the Manchester United forward’s attempt to regain fitness and the requisite mindset.

Sancho has not played since October’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea, after which the manager identified the player’s issues. After being sent to work in the Netherlands with coaches trusted by Ten Hag, Sancho is training at the club’s Carrington base with fringe players.

• Players must show ‘big balls’ after defeat to Brighton, says coach
• Lampard admits side need goals but signing striker is ‘not easy’

Frank Lampard says the stark reality of Everton’s situation is that he and the team are in a fight for survival and must show “big balls” to drag themselves out of the mire.

The Everton manager heads to Manchester United in the FA Cup on Friday under intense pressure with his side in the relegation zone after one win in 10 Premier League matches. Lampard insisted he did not need a vote of confidence from the club’s hierarchy – not that one has been forthcoming since Tuesday’s calamitous home defeat by Brighton – and has not sought assurances over his future. He also clarified Everton do not have to sell players to buy but acquiring the striker required to improve the team will be difficult.

Manchester United’s improved fortunes under the Dutchman are primarily a result of structure and accountability

There is no need for a deep dive into how Erik ten Hag has changed Manchester United tactically since arriving as head coach last summer. The key difference is obvious and it is not about tactics: he has brought discipline where it was lacking.

Various players have mentioned in interviews that there is now a structure and accountability. There is evidence of the change in attitude with Ten Hag publicly naming those who need to improve.

• Manager’s long-term future unknown after abysmal run of form
• Lampard needs result against Manchester United in the Cup

Frank Lampard will be in charge of Everton for their FA Cup third-round tie at Manchester United on Friday amid doubts over his long-term future at Goodison Park.

The Everton manager is under severe pressure following a run of eight defeats in 11 matches in all competitions and one win from 10 Premier League games.

• Side have not conceded a league goal at home since September
• Manchester City are next Premier League visitors on 14 January

David de Gea believes Manchester United’s excellent home defensive record in the Premier League will make it tough for Manchester City to breach them.

The champions’ visit to Old Trafford a week on Saturday is United’s next Premier League match and De Gea pointed to how Arsenal are the last side to score in the competition there – five months ago in September’s 3-1 win over the leaders. Since then they have had five successive clean sheets in league games.

Manchester United keep purring along impressively under Erik ten Hag. This fourth consecutive Premier League win – and third clean sheet in a row – takes them up to 35 points and with Manchester City next at Old Trafford in the competition on Saturday week the manager and his team will hope to be as irresistible then.

United are only a point behind City, who have played one fewer games, yet Ten Hag shrugged off the question of whether his side are in the title race. “The belief is growing,” he said. “But that is a big step. So, no. We have to go from game to game and make progress. Don’t get too far ahead as it is January – not even half a season.”

• Manager wants to find a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo
• United host Bournemouth on Tuesday and could go third

Erik ten Hag has stated there is a “need” for Manchester United to sign a forward this month to try to ensure Champions League qualification.

United’s 1-0 win at Wolves on Saturday elevated Ten Hag’s side to fourth with 32 points and they have a game in hand on third-placed Newcastle, who have 34. With Cristiano Ronaldo having left before Christmas, the manager was asked whether a new attacker was required to finish in the top four.

• Striker comes off bench to hit United’s winner at Wolves
• ‘Everyone has to follow the rules,’ says United manager

Erik ten Hag praised Marcus Rashford’s reaction after the striker stepped off the bench to clinch victory at Wolves having been dropped for being late to a team meeting because he overslept. Ten Hag reiterated that all of his players must play by the rules after Rashford missed Manchester United’s pre-match meeting.

Rashford entered at half-time in place of Alejandro Garnacho and scored the only goal of the game to help United into the top four for the first time this season.

Marcus Rashford was dropped for disciplinary reasons, then came off the bench to score an excellent winning goal at Molineux

1 min Peep peep! United kick off from left to right.

This still looks awesome 52 years later. Imagine how mind-blowing it must have been to see it in real time.

Perhaps the extra few minutes in bed gave Marcus Rashford the impetus to grab this game by the scruff of the neck. Dropped from Manchester United’s starting lineup for being late to a pre-match meeting, Rashford paid back Erik ten Hag handsomely on the pitch.

The stage was set for Rashford to make the difference when the in-form forward entered at half-time in place of Alejandro Garnacho. He departed the pitch as the undoubted match-winner having struck to earn victory and hoist United into the top four.

Fans on the best and worst of the season so far – and who they want to sign in the January transfer window

• Part one: Arsenal to Leeds

It’s hard to feel happy with how it’s gone so far. There was a sense that our calamitous start to the season was a thing of the past after that impressive run of form before the World Cup break. But the dread has returned to Filbert Way after the pathetic performance against Newcastle on Boxing Day. At least we’re in the last eight of the League Cup, although we’re up against the Geordies again …

From Roberto De Zerbi’s first transfer window at Brighton to limited funds at Manchester United, a roundup of who is likely to go where

The loss of Gabriel Jesus for up to three months has intensified Arsenal’s search for reinforcements, with Shakhtar Donetsk’s Mykhaylo Mudryk at the top of Mikel Arteta’s January shopping list. But having failed with their initial bid of £55m, Arsenal know they will have to pay much more to secure the 21-year-old and could turn to Atletico Madrid’s João Félix as an alternative. Ed Aarons

• Manager wants elite forward in the transfer window
• ‘Strikers are expensive, especially in the winter’

Erik ten Hag has admitted Manchester United may have to be “creative” to sign an elite striker in January because of the cost and difficulty involved.

The manager wishes to strengthen his attack following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo. Limited finances, though, meant United were unable to buy Cody Gakpo from PSV, bought instead by Liverpool for £35m, and the €22m (£19.5m) required to loan Atlético Madrid’s João Félix is also prohibitive. While Ronaldo leaving provides about £10m in saved wages for Ten Hag’s budget, he said it would be a challenge acquiring the level of forward desired when asked how realistic this was.

The top flight continues its raucous return with a New Year’s celebration featuring Brighton v Arsenal and Newcastle v Leeds

Saturday 12.30pm BT Sport 1 Venue Molineux Last season Wolves 0 Manchester United 1

Marcus Rashford and Casemiro were the standout players as United eased past a willing but limited Forest team

2 min: United spend the first minute pinging it around the back to get a feel of the ball. Casemiro earns the first gasp of the evening with a cute flick in the centre circle.

United and Forest take the knee – there’s no room for racism – and then the hosts get the ball rolling. It’s raining. Have we mentioned it’s raining?

Manchester United were faster, sharper, smarter, and classier than Nottingham Forest in this seventh straight win over their visitors. This was approaching the complete performance: a blend of measured attacking and rapid breaks and the constant harrying of an opponent who ended exhausted and demoralised.

Given United had scored only 20 Premier League goals at kickoff and there is limited finance in January to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, a strike apiece from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial before Fred’s late clincher was as fine a tonic as the three points which keep them on the heels of Tottenham.

Freedom is one more word to describe how, 23 years after United spanked Forest 8-1 at the City Ground (Ole Gunnar Solskjær scoring four in 10 minutes), this Erik ten Hag side applied a similar schooling on what was, for most of the contest, a classic rain-lashed Mancunian night.

Of this first post-World Cup Premier League outing Ten Hag said: “You always question yourself after a break what will be the restart – the back four never played together and a player who never played in a centre-back position … and if you win three, concede no goal, you are happy with the performance.”

• Club expected to limit activity to short-term loan move
• United need to strengthen attack after Ronaldo’s exit

Manchester United are more likely to sign a striker on loan rather than a permanent deal in the January window, with the focus on the summer market, as is the club’s usual policy.

The news comes after Liverpool reached an agreement with PSV to sign Cody Gakpo for an initial £37m next month, the Dutch forward having been under consideration by the Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag, as a potential replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, who parted company with United during the World Cup.

• Rashford’s previous best is 17 goals in the 2019-20 season
• ‘He has potential to score those numbers in the Premier League’

Erik ten Hag believes Marcus Rashford can score 20 Premier League goals for the first time in his career this season.

The 25-year-old has four in 14 appearances so far and his highest in the competition is the 17 of 2019-20. Manchester United have managed only 20 league goals in total and with Cristiano Ronaldo leaving the manager is hoping to sign a replacement in January, with PSV Eindhoven’s Cody Gakpo under consideration.

The 18-year-old may have had his professionalism brought into question but there is no doubting his ability on the pitch

Playing is all that matters to Alejandro Garnacho and when he does not, that is when frustration kicks in. No one who has seen him on the pitch could ever doubt his ability but the Argentinian has faced public criticism over his attitude this season.

Last month Manchester United’s head coach, Erik ten Hag, issued a warning, shortly after his teammate Bruno Fernandes looked back to the summer trip to Thailand and Australia and said: “On the tour he didn’t have the best attitude that he should have had,” arguing that was behind his lack of opportunities early in the season. Garnacho turned up late to two meetings and was offered only one friendly appearance over the summer as a result.