In the end, there was no talk. After 3-0 away against Nottingham, the big club has a huge grip on a final place.
Marcus Rashford struck in the sixth minute and gave the visitors, with Victor Nilsson Lindelöf in the back line, a dream start.
Wout Weghorst made it 2-0 just before the break and in the 89th minute Bruno Fernandes made it 3-0.
Anthony Elanga sat on the bench, but did not get any playing time this evening either.
Nottingham were on an eight-game unbeaten run at home at the City Ground, but were without a chance in the first leg.
With the second leg at Old Trafford in a week, the situation looks more or less hopeless for Nottingham.
On Tuesday evening, Newcastle won the first semi-final meeting away to Southampton with 1-0, also where the return will be played next week.
The final at Wembley will be decided on February 26.