Antony Fernandes Dalot Man Utd GFXGetty/GOAL

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

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...