Manchester United beat Nottingham Forest to climb into third position in table

Antony made the breakthrough in the 32nd minute of the contest before Diogo Dalot doubled Man United's advantage in the 76th minute, and it would have been more comprehensive but for the heroics of Keylor Navas, who was excellent between the sticks for Forest.

Defeats for Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday have made it a particularly strong weekend for the Red Devils, who are now six points ahead of fifth-placed Spurs with a game in hand, placing them in a commanding position to claim a top-four spot.

The 20-time English champions have now beaten Forest four times in all competitions this season, and the result has left Steve Cooper's side in 18th spot on 27 points, level on points with 17th-placed Everton.

Man United, who lost Marcel Sabitzer to an injury in the warm-up, had a golden chance to take the lead inside the first minute at the City Ground when Navas palmed an Aaron Wan-Bissaka cross into a dangerous area, but Jadon Sancho's strike from an excellent position was blocked by Forest defender Felipe.

Forest's first breakaway in the third minute led to Harry Maguire pulling Taiwo Awoniyi to the ground, which saw the Man United captain pick up a yellow card.

Lisandro Martinez is out for the season with a fractured metatarsal, while Raphael Varane will be missing for 'a few weeks', which will see Maguire take on a key role for the team at this late stage of the campaign.

Forest's first opportunity came in the sixth minute when Awoniyi met a loose ball inside the Man United box, but Wan-Bissaka made a brilliant block, before Dalot curled one over the crossbar down the other end, with both teams looking shaky at the back in the early exchanges.

Felipe almost headed a Bruno Fernandes cross into his own net in the eighth minute, before Antony curled one over the crossbar in the 16th minute, with the visitors looking the most likely at the City Ground.

Forest goalkeeper Navas then had to make a smart save to keep out a powerful strike from Fernandes in the 18th minute.

The home side had a shout for a penalty in the 19th minute when the ball struck Maguire's arm inside the box following a corner, but the referee was happy for the play to continue and VAR agreed.

There were no takers on a low Fernandes cross in the 21st minute; Forest then had a brilliant chance of their own three minutes later, with pressure from Scott McKenna from a corner leading to Maguire heading against his own post.

Danilo then had one deflected wide of Man United's goal in the 31st minute, but the away side went down the other end and made the breakthrough.

Navas did well to keep out a low drive from Martial, but Antony was first on the scene, with the Brazil international bundling the ball into the back of the net from close range to score his first league goal since October.

Awoniyi had a brilliant chance to level for Forest late in the first period when a heavy touch from Dalot set up the striker inside the Man United box, but he fired over the crossbar, before Fernandes somehow headed a brilliant Christian Eriksen cross wide of the post from a dangerous area down the other end.

Forest had another shout for a penalty early in the second half, with Dalot handling inside his own box, but once again, the home side were left frustrated.

Awoniyi headed wide of the Man United goal in the 52nd minute, with the home side having their moments on the break, but Ten Hag's team continued to dominate the possession.

Navas made a stunning save to tip a thunderous Fernandes strike onto the crossbar in the 56th minute, before Antony missed the post with a curling effort shortly after, with Man United forcing the issue heading towards the hour mark in Nottingham.

Navas made another excellent stop to deny Fernandes in the 61st minute, with Forest still in the contest courtesy of brilliant work from their goalkeeper.

Martial headed a Casemiro cross wide of the target in the 71st minute, before Neco Williams had a dangerous low cross deflected just wide of the post down the other end of the field.

Felipe then somehow headed just over the Man United goal from the resulting corner, before Navas palmed clear a low Antony cross down the other end, with the ball just evading Sancho and Wout Weghorst inside the box.

The visitors managed to double their advantage in the 76th minute, though, with Dalot collecting a brilliant pass from Antony before slotting the ball into the corner of the net, which sparked huge celebrations in the away end at the City Ground.

Fernandes, Sancho and Antony had efforts to score thirds for Man United late on, but it ultimately finished 2-0, which is a result that flattered the home team.

Man United will now switch their attention back to the Europa League, preparing to travel to Sevilla on Thursday for the second leg of their quarter-final, with the score delicately poised at 2-2.

Ten Hag's side will then take on Brighton & Hove Albion in the semi-finals of the FA Cup next Sunday during a defining period in their campaign.

Forest, meanwhile, will continue their survival battle in the Premier League with a trip to Liverpool on Saturday, and another defeat would further increase the pressure on head coach Cooper.