Injury-hit Manchester United beat relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest 2-0 on Sunday to strengthen their push for a top-four Premier League end.
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Erik ten Hag’s males took full benefit of defeats for rivals Newcastle and Tottenham the day prior to this to climb to third in the desk, courtesy of targets from Antony and Diogo Dalot.
The groups had already met thrice this season, together with in a two-legged League Cup semi-final — with United profitable on every event.
Injured United central-defensive pairing Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez had been changed by Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof, whereas Dalot got here in for Tyrell Malacia.
The guests, additionally lacking top-scorer Marcus Rashford, had been pressured right into a late change when midfielder Marcel Sabitzer was injured in the warm-up and changed by Christian Eriksen, making his first begin since January following an ankle harm.
Forest, who had not gained in their previous 9 video games, made 4 modifications.
United had been shortly out of the blocks and Jadon Sancho had a strike blocked in the opening moments.
The guests dominated possession however Steve Cooper’s Forest had been a menace from set-pieces.
Forest goalkeeper Keylor Navas saved from Bruno Fernandes earlier than a VAR examine for a possible penalty on the different finish after the ball hit Maguire’s arm from a nook.
United took the lead in the thirty second minute when Antony poked house after Navas parried a robust shot from Anthony Martial.
Dalot nearly gifted Forest an equaliser shortly earlier than half-time after some sloppy play however Taiwo Awoniyi smashed the ball nicely over.
Fernandes put a header vast from the centre of the field simply earlier than the break.
United continued to dominate in the second half, with Fernandes and Eriksen pulling the strings.
Portugal worldwide Fernandes produced a shocking curling effort from the left of the field that was pushed on to the bar by Navas and Antony fired simply vast.
Martial missed an excellent probability to prolong United’s lead when he headed vast with 20 minutes to go earlier than Forest defender Felipe nodded over from shut vary.
United lastly acquired the reward their dominance deserved in the 76th minute when Dalot burst into the field to meet a move by Antony to rating his first Premier League purpose.
– ‘Solid win’ –
The win leaves United three factors away from fourth-placed Newcastle after 30 video games, and 6 away from Tottenham, in fifth.
“Solid win,” Ten Hag informed the BBC. “Really focused and concentrated from start to finish.”
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The United boss remarked on a “really solid performance from all on the pitch today”, singling out Maguire and Lindelof for reward.
“Last week I had nine fit top defenders, now I have four,” he mentioned. “We need all our players — we are still in three competitions. We need all the players to form a top team.”
The Red Devils have surpassed final season’s Premier League factors tally with eight matches nonetheless to play as they flip their consideration to this week’s Europa League and FA Cup clashes.
Forest stay in the underside three and are in severe hazard of returning to the Championship after only one season in the English high flight.
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