Masterful midfield give Forest the chop!

THE scoreboard at Nottingham Forest was so misleading United could have recorded a number to match the cricket scores across the road at Trent Bridge

The City Ground is the only domestic away ground United have won by a three-goal margin all season. Though they posted a more modest scoreline than in the League Cup, 24 years on from the record 8-1 thrashing it remains a very happy hunting ground.

In United's four fixtures against Forest this season, they have won by an aggregate scoreline of 10-0. United still find goals hard to come by but, more often than not, they find a way to win. This was another strikingly dominant performance from a side that appears to be mastering the controlling style Erik ten Hag cherishes at an ideal time.

This was not as comfortable a visit for the United away-dayers in the Bridgford End as in the League Cup in January.

Forest re-emerged only a goal down and it was not until Diogo Dalot killed the contest with a nerveless 76th-minute strike that had somehow stayed alive that long.

Eight days on from Scott McTominay's sense of adventure, it was apposite another member of the defensive department was the most clinical in front of goal. Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho debriefed constructively at full time, doubtless still rueing one of umpteen missed opportunites.

Christian Eriksen, included in the starting XI at less than 15 minutes notice after Marcel Sabitzer pulled up in the warm-up, performed as though he had never been away from the starting XI.

His promotion meant a role change for Bruno Fernandes, relocated from a 6 to a 10 at short notice. Fernandes found the No.9 Anthony Martial with a prompt pass to expose Forest for Antony's goal.