Erik ten Hag said he was delighted with a ‘solid win’ as Manchester United beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 at the City Ground.
Goals from Antony and Diogo Dalot lifted the Red Devils up to third in the Premier League table, with Ten Hag’s side capitalising on defeats for Newcastle and Spurs to strengthen their position in the race for the top four.
Manchester United were well worth the three points against a Forest side who are without a win in ten top-flight games. The visitors dominated the game and chances, with Keylor Navas forced into a string of saves for Forest.
Bruno Fernandes impressed in midfield for United, while Christian Eriksen made his return to the side for the first time since January. The Denmark international was a late inclusion after Marcel Sabitzer sustained an issue in the warm-up.
“Solid win. Really focused and concentrated from start to finish,” Ten Hag reflected to Sky Sports.
Ten Hag recalled Victor Lindelof to the side, with the Sweden international partnering Harry Maguire at centre-back. The duo have struggled for regular first-team football this season and Ten Hag was pleased as his side recorded a clean sheet in the absence of the injured Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez.
“Very good, a really solid performance from all on the pitch today. Centre backs had great cooperation, full-backs were brilliant in and out of possession. Harry [Maguire] and Victor [Lindelof] dominated their opponents.”
United are short of defensive options ahead of Thursday’s Europa League clash with Sevilla, after Tyrell Malacia joined Varane, Martinez and Luke Shaw on a lengthy list of absentees.
“Last week I had nine fit top defenders, now I have four. We need all our players, we are still in three competitions, we need all the players to form a top team.”
