Man United swat aside lacklustre Forest 2-0 at City Ground

Manchester United registered a comfortable 2-0 win over relegation-battling Nottingham Forest at the City Ground courtesy of goals from Antony and Diogo Dalot today.

A goal on either side of half-time established a scoreline that flattered the Tricky Trees, who barely put up a fight against a Man United side guilty of missing too many chances.

The game started on a frantic note, but Erik ten Hag’s side fired the first warning shot when Bruno Fernandes saw his thunderous effort repelled by Keylor Navas. 

Forest responded through Scott McKenna, who was inches away from opening the scoring, but the defender crashed his effort off the woodwork.

A goal there could have changed the complexion of the game, but Forest were soon made to pay for the missed opportunity.

Poor defending from the Forest defenders meant Anthony Martial found himself in space but his goal-bound effort was well saved by Navas. 

However, the former Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper could do nothing about the onrushing Antony, who slotted home the rebound to give Man United the lead in the 32nd minute.

Looking for a quick response, the Reds grew into the game but did little to threaten David De Gea in Man United’s goal with half-time on the horizon.

However, they came close to drawing level when Dalot’s heavy touch opened up shooting space for Taiwo Awoniyi, who failed to hit the target from 12 yards.

Awoniyi’s effort was a warning to Ten Hag’s side who resumed from the interval with fire in their veins, with Bruno Fernandes forcing Navas into an exceptional save.

Navas was certainly the busier of the two goalkeepers as Man United maintained their second-half pressure. Antony dragged his shot wide before Christian Eriksen’s effort was beaten away by the Forest goalie.

However, the 36-year-old was undone in the 76th minute by a sublime Antony through ball that set up Dalot to seal the game with his first Premier League goal on his 100th Man United appearance.

Ten Hag’s side got the win they desperately wanted to consolidate their place in the top four. But it came at the expense of Forest, who have now been plunged deeper into the relegation battle.

The Red Devils have put some daylight between themselves and Newcastle United, who were comprehensively beaten by Aston Villa.

Forest remain in the bottom three after failing to capitalise on Everton’s slip-up against Fulham, leaving Steve Cooper’s long-term future at the club still hanging by a thread.