Nottingham Forest 0- 2 Manchester United as Dalot and Antony score
Christian Eriksen said he “did not know” he would replace Marcel Sabitzer when Manchester United were forced into a last-minute change to their starting side at Nottingham Forest, where Erik ten Hag’s team won 2-0 to strengthen their Champions League qualification hopes.
Goals by Antony and Diogo Dalot extended United’s winning run in the top flight to three matches and ensured toothless Forest remained in the relegation zone, with Eriksen playing an instrumental role at late notice as the visitors’ midfield dominated the ball and set up a succession of chances while their opponents failed to produce a shot on target.
Already missing top scorer Marcus Rashford and first-team regulars including Scott McTominay, Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez, United suffered another setback during the warm-up when Sabitzer, who scored twice in eight minutes during their 2-2 draw at home to Sevilla in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday, sustained a groin injury.
“He felt something,” said Eriksen, telling Sky Sports that he was informed minutes before kickoff by technical director Darren Fletcher about his first start since returning from an ankle injury.
“At the time, I didn’t know if [Ten Hag] was going to pick me or not. He just said ‘be ready’. On the way in, Fletch said ‘I think it’s you.’ I’ve been out for a while, so I need to do my prep to play.”
Winger Antony scored his first goal in 15 league games when he prodded in after Forest goalkeeper Keylor Navas had parried Anthony Martial’s shot, giving United a 32nd-minute lead that defender Dalot doubled with a clinical finish for his first Premier League goal after collecting a perceptive Antony pass 14 minutes from time.
