MON, APRIL. 17 2023-theGBJournal |Manchester United FC took a step toward cementing their top-four slot with a vital win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
Goals from Antony and a first-ever Premier League goal from Diogo Dalot were enough to seal the win for United.
Nottingham Forest would be quite disappointed in the way they conceded the goal; despite a host of signings, they haven’t seemed to find the perfect rhythm, and they seem closer to the championship than ever.
United would hope this spurs them on in their midweek Europa League tie against Sevilla after capitulating their lead in the first leg.
Stats
FT: Nottingham Forest 0-2 Man Utd xG: 0.68-3.74 Shots: 6-22 Shots on target: 0-8 Big chances: 2-6 Touches in opp. box: 15-42 Possession: 32%-68%
No Rashford, no problem.
United’s top scorer, Marcus Rashford, hasn’t been fit, and it seems like United are banging goals without him; several United players are turning up; Marcel Sabitzer turned up last match, and it was Antony this match with a goal and an assist.
United need all players to be firing on all cylinders if they are to end the season on a high, and the coach seems to have found the right formation to bring out the creativity in the team.
Allowing his attacking midfielder to have less defensive work and act as a supporting striker has been a masterstroke, and with the United attackers entering good form this period, scoring goals won’t be a problem for some time.
David De Gea saves
David De Gea currently leads the clean sheet chat and has proven to be one of United’s best players. His stunning saves, his assurance at the backline, and his superhuman reflexes have been key to United’s momentum. This season, despite his poor usage of the ball, De Gea has shown to be more than useful to Erik ten Hag, quelling doubts about him being a liability on the team.
The holy trio strikes again.
Manchester United haven’t lost a game in all 17 matches. Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen, and Casemiro have all started together.
The trio complements each other; they are both hard workers, and their ability to read each other’s games, knowing where each other would be to receive a pass in the game, has been something of a delight.
Bruno’s hard work, Eriksen’s creativity, and Casemiro’s discipline have been a joy to watch. United would hope the trio doesn’t miss a game together, and who knows how much United can achieve this season?
Martial time is almost up.
Martial has been plagued with injury or poor form this season, and his giving United more reasons why he can be the main forward going next season — he was expected to step up in goals without Rashford and failed to do so in this match — how many more games does he have to impress the manager and secure a future in United?
Nottingham Forest’s coaching decisions have not paid off.
Choosing to stick with Steve Cooper hasn’t paid for Forest yet, and despite imperceptibly bringing him back to the league, he hasn’t been able to steady the ship in the league. He has also failed to bring out the best in some summer signings, and the question is: how long does he have before he is let go?
Man of the match
Bruno Fernandes for Manchester United vs. Nottingham Forest: Most final third passes (48) Most passes into the box: 15 Most crosses (9) Most touches in opp. box (8) Most chances created (6) Most shots on target (3).-Curtesy Wavysport
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