The ex-Ajax star both scored and assisted at the City Ground as United turned in a strong performance to boost their top-four hopes
Manchester United took a big gamble when they paid £85 million to sign Antony from Ajax, and on many occasions this seasons fans have been wondering why. But against Nottingham Forest, with Marcus Rashford still out injured, the winger rose to the occasion and showed he can be a difference-maker too.
Antony put United in front after they had weathered an early storm at a typically noisy and unwelcoming City Ground. It was a scrappy finish, but was exactly what the forward needed after trying to often to curl the ball into the top corner.
He brimmed with confidence from then on and twisted Forest's defence inside out before setting up the second goal, taken with gusto by Diogo Dalot.
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Christian Eriksen, Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes controlled the midfield and ensured that United dominated the latter stages of the first half and practically all of the second.
Forest might not have been the most intimidating of opponents, but United got the job done and now are in a very comfortable position in the race for the top-four, sitting in third and with have a six-point cushion, with a game in hand, over Tottenham in fifth.
The only downside was another injury to deal with, this time for Marcel Sabitzer, who picked up a knock in the warm-up.
GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from the City Ground…
GettyWINNER: Antony
The Brazilian's goal was hardly a classic, a stubby finish from close range which he could not really miss from. But it was his first goal in the league since October, and it gave him the confidence to ravage Forest in the second half.
He fizzed two shots just wide of the far post and tortured Scott McKenna and Renan Lodi. And then he produced something he has been waiting for all season, a Premier League assist.
It was an exceptional move, gliding through Forest's midfield to give Dalot the ideal pass, and the Portuguese did the rest.
Ten Hag had challenged Antony to raise his game earlier in the week, urging him to "kill opponents". Against Forest, he did just that.
It's been a long time coming, especially for an £85 million signing, but today was a strong platform for Antony to build on.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesLOSER: Jadon Sancho
Sancho's form can no longer be dismissed as a blip.
Since returning to the team in February after an extended time out on an individual training programme, he has two goals and one assist. In his last six starts, he has only one goal contribution.
But the lack of end product is not the only problem. Sancho still lacks confidence and really struggles to beat defenders, which is not something you should be saying about a winger, especially one who cost the club £73m.
He found himself in promising positions on a number of occasions, but kept making the wrong decision, either holding onto the ball for too long or cutting inside and running into Forest defenders when he had space on the outside to attack.
Getty ImagesWINNER: United's midfield axis
Sabitzer's injury gave United a pre-game shock, especially given how well the Austrian had played against Sevilla.
But his loss was, in fact, United's gain, as his replacement Christian Eriksen forged a brilliant partnership with Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes in the middle of the park.
Eriksen's passing was close to perfection, Casemiro shielded the defence well, especially in the second half, while Fernandes was outstanding.
The Portugal midfielder ripped his way through Forest's defence and was the team's most dangerous player, alongside Antony.
There can be little doubt that Casemiro, Fernandes and Eriksen are United's best midfield trio. And the statistics don't lie: they have won 15 of 17 matches and lost none in which the three have started this season.
Getty ImagesLOSER: Man Utd's medical staff
It has been a tough week for United's doctors and physios.
First Rashford sustained a muscle injury against Everton and was ruled out for a couple of weeks, then Raphael Varane was forced off in the first half against Sevilla.
Worst of all, his defensive partner Lisandro Martinez was ruled out for the season with a broken metatarsal suffered at the end of the Sevilla match.
To add insult to all the injuries, Sabitzer picked up a knock in the warm-up and headed down the tunnel, with Eriksen forced to deputise for him with just a few minutes' notice.
Some of these injuries, particularly Martinez's, have been freak occurrences, but the build-up of muscle problems is going to lead to questions about the players' physical preparation.