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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Jacob Leeks

Antony ends Man Utd drought to claim much-needed Nottingham Forest win - 5 talking points

Star summer signing Antony finally ended his Premier League goal drought to hand Manchester United a win at struggling Nottingham Forest.

United were forced into four injury-related changes to their team for the trip to the City Ground. It was an open game despite Forest's struggles this season and Antony fired his side in front after reacting first to Keylor Navas saving from Anthony Martial.

It was the Brazilian's first goal since October, with Forest failing to find an equaliser and Diogo Dalot sealing the win with his first top-flight strike late on. Here, Mirror Football looks at five of the biggest talking points from the game.

Ten Hag's injury headache worsens

Manchester United are now 51 games into their season, with at least another 10 still to play. Erik ten Hag's squad is beginning to buckle under that weight, having been forced into four injury-related changes for the trip to Forest.

The absences of Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane and Tyrell Malacia were known well ahead of kick-off, but Marcel Sabitzer then pulled up in the warm-up. The Austrian was replaced by Christian Eriksen in midfield, but it is another injury blow Ten Hag did not need.

Goalkeeper David de Gea also appeared to be limping during the first-half, with Jack Butland sent out to warm-up. With hopes of winning two more trophies and a top four place to battle for, this injury crisis is the last thing Ten Hag needed.

HAVE YOUR SAY! Who was man of the match in Manchester United's clash with Nottingham Forest? Comment below.

Maguire fails to take his chance

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire endured a difficult afternoon against Taiwo Awoniyi (James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)

Harry Maguire was brought back into the starting line-up following the injuries to Varane and Martinez. But the United captain failed to impress on what was just his seventh Premier League start of the season.

His afternoon started in disastrous fashion when he was booked after just three minutes. The Englishman made no attempt to play the ball as he wrestled Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi down to the ground.

Twelve minutes later, Maguire inexplicably put the ball out for a throw-in while trying to pass to Aaron Wan-Bissaka. He picked up slightly in the second-half, but Ten Hag may be concerned Maguire will be exposed against a higher standard of striker in the run-in.

Cooper back on the hotseat

Forest boss Steve Cooper is very much on the hotseat following his side's defeat to United. The reverse left his side in the relegation zone, though they are only behind Everton on goal difference.

Even so, they have now gone 10 games without a win in the top-flight, with this defeat being their third successive loss. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis recently gave Cooper his public backing.

But that backing may be withdrawn amid the team's atrocious form, which has put them at real risk of going straight back down the Championship. Though they put in a bright performance against United, Forest's battle for survival is set to be nail-biting.

Antony breaks goal drought

Antony scored his first Premier League goal since October to hand United the win (Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Antony has faced plenty of criticism since his £82million move to Old Trafford in the summer transfer window. Much of that has been due to his struggles to contribute to United's goals tally over the course of the season.

Those problems have been most acute in the Premier League, with the Brazilian's last goal before the trip to Forest coming back in October against Everton. Since then, it has been a long drought in the top-flight for Antony, one which finally came to an end at the City Ground.

The Brazilian showed the perfect instincts to follow up Anthony Martial's effort, which had been saved by Keylor Navas. Antony will hope he can use Sunday's goalscoring day to finally kickstart his United career.

Eriksen picks up where he left off

Christian Eriksen made his first Premier League start since January's defeat to Arsenal after United were forced into making a very late change to their team. The Dane came into the starting line-up in place of Marcel Sabitzer, who was injured in the warm-up.

The 31-year-old, who has spent more than two months on the sidelines with injury, played like he had never been away. Along with Bruno Fernandes, Eriksen pulled Forest apart to be the driving force behind United's win at the City Ground.

The midfielder had a pass completion rate of 89 per cent, created three major chances and won three of his four duels during his 78 minutes on the pitch. Eriksen's performance will delight Ten Hag as United prepare for the run-in, with his return giving them a huge boost.

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