ERIK TEN HAG’S United tightened their grip on a Champions’ League spot with their FOURTH win against Forest this season.
Antony broke his six-month Premier goal scoring drought before Diogo Dalot marked his century of United appearances with his first Premier League goal.
The Red Devils have now won their last 10 fixtures against Forest in all competitions by an aggregate score of 36-3.
United have scored at least three goals in each of their last six league games against Steve Cooper’s struggling Forest – so they fell short by one this time.
But Ten Hag will be well satisfied as his patched up side moved above Newcastle into third spot.
So who was United’s best player? And did anyone have a game to forget?
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Here, SunSport’s Graeme Bryce delivers his player ratings…
David De Gea – 7
Gave Ten Hag an early scare when he suffered a leg injury which had Jack Butland warming up.
Soldiered on to keep Forest at bay with a typically assured performance. Solid under considerable pressure in the air and brilliant with his distribution.
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Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 7
Produced an important early block to deny Awoniyi and showed a good understanding of Ten Hag’s tactics as he pushed into midfield when United were in possession.
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A really accomplished performance.
Victor Lindelof – 7
Handled his rare chance to partner Harry Maguire well and was the safe pair of hands United needed in the absence of Lisando Martinez.
Marshalled his defence well and used the ball well. His calmness eventually rubbed off on Maguire.
Harry Maguire – 6
Booked after three minutes when Awoniyi rolled him and he desperately wrestled him to the ground. That blunder left him walking a very long tightrope!
Rode his luck when the ball came off his arm at a corner only for VAR to let him off the hook.
Another tough day at the office for the confidence sapped England defender who improved as the game went on.
Diogo Dalot – 8
Injuries to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia opened the door for Dalot to stand-in at left-back – and boy did he revel in it!
The Portuguese star snuffed out Brennan Johnson’s threat then, job done, he rampaged forward to celebrate his 100th United appearance with his first Premier League goal.
His perfectly timed run on to Antony’s pass was finished like an expert.
Casemiro – 7
Played his way back into action with a typically assured performance and stopped many Forest attacks before they got started.
By no means his best performance in a United shirt but it didn’t need to be as he did everything that was required of him.
Christian Eriksen – 9
How Forest must have wished Marcel Sabitzer hadn’t injured himself in the warm-up!
That allowed Eriksen to start and pull the strings for United beside Casemiro as well as releasing Bruno Fernandez to play further forward.
The Dane dominated proceedings and allowed Fernandes to have fun on the front foot.
Antony – 8
Pounced to beat Renan Lodi at the back post and break the deadlock after Navas could only push away Martial’s shot.
That ended the Brazilian’s six-month wait for a Premier League goal after scoring in each of his first three Prem matches.
Was a constant thorn in Forest’s side and produced an assist with a brilliant pass to pick out Dalot’s run at United’s second.
Bruno Fernandes – 9
Ran Forest ragged with his surging runs from midfield and could have had a hat-trick in both halves but for desperate defending and some sensational goalkeeping from Navas.
It was his classy first time pass which released Martial for United’s opener.
On top of his game here as he terrorised Forest throughout.
Jadon Sancho – 7
Gave United good balance on the left and produced plenty of nice touches.
On this occasion the chances didn’t fall nicely for him but he can be satisfied with his afternoon’s work.
Anthony Martial – 7
Led the line well and brought others into play. But the Frenchman will be kicking himself for heading wide just before he was replaced by Wout Weghorst when he should have put the game beyond Forest.
Not one of his most memorable games but in the absence of Marcus Rashford he can expect an extended run.
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Weghorst – 6
Replaced Martial after 71 minutes and made an impact as his decoy run dragged Forest’s defence around and created the gaping hole Dalot exploited to grab his goal.
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Lucky to escape with a booking for an ill-advised petulant smack at Niakhate at the end.
Fred – 5
Came on for the imperious Eriksen with little more than 10 minutes left on the clock and made sure the back door remained locked.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
