Man Utd beat Forest to climb to third in Premier League

Manchester United’s Portuguese defender Diogo Dalot (2R) shoots past Nottingham Forest’s Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas to score their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester United at The City Ground in Nottingham, central England, on April 16, 2023. (Photo by DARREN STAPLES / AFP)

Manchester United beat relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest 2-0 on Sunday to strengthen their push for a top-four Premier League finish.

Erik ten Hag’s men took full advantage of slip-ups from rivals Newcastle and Tottenham the previous day to climb to third in the table, courtesy of goals from Antony and Diogo Dalot.

The teams had already met three times this season, including in a two-legged League Cup semi-final — with United winning on each occasion.

Injured United central-defensive pairing Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez were replaced by Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof, while Dalot came in for Tyrell Malacia.

The visitors, also missing injured top-scorer Marcus Rashford, were forced into a late change when midfielder Marcel Sabitzer was injured in the warm-up and replaced by Christian Eriksen, making his first start since January following an ankle injury.

Forest, who had not won in their past nine games, made four changes.

United were quickly out of the blocks and Jadon Sancho had a strike blocked in the opening moments.

The visitors dominated possession but Steve Cooper’s Forest were a menace from set-pieces.

Forest goalkeeper Keylor Navas saved from Bruno Fernandes before a VAR check for a potential penalty at the other end after the ball hit Maguire’s arm from a corner.

United took the lead in the 32nd minute when Antony poked home after Navas parried a powerful shot