Antony scored one and assisted another as Manchester United moved up to third in the Premier League table with a clinical win over Nottingham Forest who missed out on a chance to move out of the relegation zone.

And Antony played through Diogo Dalot who slotted in United’s second with 14 minutes remaining.

The win puts United three points clear of fourth-placed Newcastle United and six points ahead of Tottenham Hotspur in fifth, who have played a game more than the Red Devils.

Forest, who could have gone three points clear of the drop with a win, stay 17th, inside the bottom three on goal difference.

Eriksen inspires free-flowing United

Antony starred, but it was Christian Eriksen who was the true lynchpin for United.

The Denmark midfielder started his first match since picking up an ankle injury in January, replacing Marcel Sabitzer who sustained a groin injury in the warm-up.

“Sabitzer felt something, we decided not to take the risk and we will find out tomorrow what it is,” Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag told BBC Match of the Day.

“But when you have Eriksen on the bench, it is definitely not a disadvantage.”

Alongside Bruno Fernandes, Eriksen helped United dominate the first half with Jadon Sancho and Fernandes having early chances.

After Antony’s opener only an inspired performance from Navas and some wasteful finishing kept Forest in the fixture.

Fernandes saw his free header sail just wide on the strike of half-time and the Portuguese midfielder had a curling effort tipped on to the post by Navas after the restart.

United’s victory, settled by Dalot’s first Premier League goal, was the perfect response to their disappointing 2-2 draw at home to Sevilla last time out.

“[It was a] solid win, really focused and concentrated from start to finish,” added Ten Hag.

They face Sevilla in the second leg of that Europa League quarter-final on Thursday before taking on Brighton in the semi-finals of the FA Cup on Sunday.

Forest sliding towards relegation

Forest boss Steve Cooper stressed his side need to quickly turn results around, with the East Midlands outfit now winless across their past 10 Premier League matches.

They were 13th after their last victory when they beat Leeds United 1-0 on 5 February.

“We know that we have to turn the performances into results,” Cooper told BBC Match of the Day.

“There is a lot of scrutiny on us due to our league position and the time of the season that it is, but the situation is the situation.”

They had chances in the first half with Taiwo Awoniyi seeing one effort blocked by Aaron Wan-Bissaka and another fly off target from a strong position.

Forest also had a penalty shout in the 19th minute when an in-swinging corner struck the arm of United defender Harry Maguire, but the video assistant referee chose not to overturn referee Simon Hooper’s non-penalty decision.

“I definitely think it was a penalty, and then a second yellow,” added Cooper.

“I do not know how VAR did not spot it, at this level they should be doing better.”

With United 1-0 in front, Felipe headed over from a corner in the 73rd minute, but in truth Forest always looked second best in front of their home supporters.

They face Liverpool in their next match on Saturday where they will be desperately hoping to end their winless run.

Player of the match

EriksenChristian Eriksen

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