So THIS is why Man Utd paid £85m for Antony! Winners and losers as Brazilian adds substance to style in win over Nottingham Forest

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.

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.

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.

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.

Dalot has had a difficult few weeks, disappointing against Liverpool and Newcastle, but he was excellent at left-back on Sunday.

He played with confidence and maturity, although he was fortunate that Taiwo Awoniyi blazed over the bar after he had sent the ball straight to the Forest striker after trying to clear the danger in the first half.

Dalot had other strong moments defensively, but was at his best going forward, and showed his class with his control and finish for the second goal.

He is unlikely to keep his place at left-back when Luke Shaw returns to full fitness, but his performance in the position, in which he was given freedom to go forward as Aaron Wan-Bissaka was so assured on the other flank, gives Ten Hag another option to consider.

And that is a huge boost given the litany of players the manager currently has to make do without due to injuries.

After Newcastle beat United 2-0 immediately after the international break, the Red Devils' top-four hopes looked seriously at risk.

Two weeks on, Ten Hag's side are back in third after winning three games in a row against Brentford, Everton and Forest.

They have a three-point cushion over Newcastle and a six-point advantage over Spurs, as well as having a game in hand on the north Londoners.

Tottenham have shot themselves in the foot, conceding late goals to draw at Everton against 10 men and suffering a late capitulation at home to Bournemouth on Saturday.

United can now twist the knife into them in their next Premier League game on April 27.

Newcastle looked in pole position to take third after outplaying United at St James' Park and walloping West Ham and beating Brentford, but they were badly beaten at Aston Villa.

United still have their problems and an injury crisis to contend with, but they are fortunate that their rivals for a Champions League spot have done them a favour.