KEY TRIO WILL ENSURE UNITED REMAIN IN THE BATTLE FOR A TOP-FOUR FINISH

THERE won't be much credit for United after beating a side second-bottom in the Premier League, but they certainly deserve some.

-  RICH FAY

The Reds fielded a makeshift back-four for the visit of Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night, and there was certainly potential for a banana-skin.

It never looked like happening, though. Even after a cagey opening few minutes, United always looked in total control, something they owe to the effortless class embedded in the spine of their team.

Erik ten Hag made it his mission to add creativity and composure in the summer months, and that approach is paying off.

While there was certainly room for United to make a mistake, there was simply no way for it to happen given the clinical professionalism of their most experienced players. At the heart of a makeshift defence, Raphael Varane stood strong, barking out orders to auxiliary centre-back partner Luke Shaw and second-choice full-backs in Tyrell Malacia and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.