Manchester United moved up to third in the Premier League on Sunday thanks to a convincing 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
Apart from a few nervy moments inside the opening 20 minutes, United dominated proceedings and never looked in risk of dropping points. Antony netted for the Red Devils in the first period at the City Ground, with Diogo Dalot grabbing a second in the final 15 minutes.
It was an electric start in the East Midlands, as Jadon Sancho saw a shot cleared en route to goal by Felipe inside the first minute, and soon after Aaron Wan-Bissaka denied Taiwo Awonyi in a similar fashion.
United went close with strikes from Antony and Bruno Fernandes, while Felipe nearly headed over his own crossbar from a wicked cross into the Forest box. On 31 minutes Danilo dragged a shot just wide, and a few moments later it was the visitors who grabbed the first goal of the game.
Anthony Martial began the move when he dispossessed Danilo midway inside the Forest half and slipped the ball to Fernandes, who then reversed it back into the United attacker’s path. Martial’s shot was initially saved by Keylor Navas, but Antony followed up and slid in at the back post to give the visitors the lead.
That was how the score remained at the break, although Awonyi fired over and Fernandes headed wide in the latter stages of the first half.
United started the second period in the ascendancy with Navas twice pushing dangerous Fernandes shots onto the post inside the 15 minutes after the break, while Antony also went close with an effort that curled wide from the edge of the box.
Navas was having a busy afternoon and he saved Martial’s header on 71 minutes and Antony’s close-range effort. Forest didn’t have many dangerous moments in the second half, although Neco Williams did flash a dangerous cross wide by just a few inches.
As the game entered the final 15 minutes, the Red Devils popped up with a crucial second goal to all but wrap things up. Antony set it up with a fantastic run inside, before he picked out the advancing Dalot, who calmly poked it past Navas in front of the jubilant away section.
Fernandes produced the final chance of note in the latter stages, but it was a quiet finish at the City Ground with the points secure. Here’s how we rated the United players...
1. David De Gea- 6
Didn’t face a shot on target all game and had a quiet afternoon on Nottingham.
2. Aaron Wan-Bissaka- 8
Forest didn’t have much joy attacking down their left, with United’s no.29 putting in a defensively solid display.
3. Victor Lindelof- 8
Slotted back in effortlessly and barely foot out of place all afternoon.
4. Harry Maguire- 5
Had a shocking start to the game with a booking inside three minutes and a few heavy touches. But Maguire recovered and was much better in the last four.