Manchester United have been dealt a tough hand with injuries in recent weeks. Losing Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez against Sevilla last week was an indictment of fixture congestion starting to catch up, and by kick-off against Nottingham Forest on Sunday, they had 12 players sidelined.
The line-up looked unorthodox, with Tyrell Malacia's absence meaning both left-backs were missing, so Diogo Dalot was forced to play out of position. Between him and Aaron Wan-Bissaka was the old faithful, now-sporadic pairing of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof.
Arguably the thing that put United most on the back foot was losing Marcel Sabitzer in the warm-up, forcing a late change with Christian Eriksen fast-tracked back into the starting XI.
But, despite adversity and appearing to be on the back foot, it was front-footed football that prevailed for United. That had been a hallmark at Ajax under Erik ten Hag's reign, and United are now starting to dominate games courtesy of a proactive approach too.
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The start to affairs, after a big early opportunity for Jadon Sancho, was rocky for United. Maguire particularly struggled to settle, getting booked for a rugby-like tackle on Taiwo Awoniyi after three minutes, then being plagued by chants of "Leicester reject" by the City Ground contingent after a short pass to Wan-Bissaka went straight out for a throw-in.
But despite a lack of confidence apparent, Maguire rallied past these difficulties and performed well as the best days of his partnership with Lindelof looked restored - necessary in the absence of the first-choice pairing. The Swede himself proved dependable as ever as United fought off any opposing chances, moving through an end-to-end start.
It was necessary that the defence performed in such a manner as it offered a platform for the front-footed attacking display that ensued. A good balance is starting to be struck between attacking intent and a solid defence, with David de Gea leading the Premier League Golden Glove race with 14 clean sheets, with United's total of 24 in all competitions the most pf any club in Europe's top five leagues.
As proven against Forest, this is being achieved with differing personnel too. And, even with the squad somewhat depleted, it ended up being utter domination for United at the City Ground, bar the odd mishap, or occasion where Forest were able to break away and create a set-piece situation from which they could crowd De Gea.
United's opening goal exemplified their proactivity and knack to often suffocate their opponents on Sunday. It stemmed from a revitalised Anthony Martial displaying work ethic he has often been criticised for lacking; he won the ball back in the final third before going onto force Keylor Navas into the save that led to Antony's rebound goal - his first in the Premier League since scoring in his first three games in the competition.
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It felt inevitable that Bruno Fernandes would be involved in any scoring move, and it was his first-time, weak-footed pass that created the opportunity for Martial. He has created more open play chances than any other player in the Premier League once again, and has restablished himself as a pillar in every attacking move.
He was back in his familiar No.10 role after featuring deeper for the two games prior, and excelled with a license to roam and create from different areas through different means. And he could well have had a few goals, including one screamer from range, if it wasn't for an inspired Navas.
With Eriksen slotting seamlessly back into the side and Fernandes performing in such an outstanding manner, United were able to control the game, with the former supplying the latter for a free header, which went begging at one stage. When the pair have started with Casemiro - on 17 occasions - United have never lost and have only twice failed to win.
United were also aided on an attacking front by Antony delivering his most complete display to date, proving how valuable he will likely become in coming years. He has persisted through criticism and evidently continued to work on his game, and fine-tuning is starting to shine through; he twice used his right foot on Sunday, for instance, delivering a cross and forcing Navas into a good save.
His goal showed intelligence through anticipation and an ability to get in the right position, doing the less glamorous things to reach the ball and convert into an open net. This cleverness was further shown in the second half as United's advantage was doubled, upping the ante after a patient move with a cut inside, before delivering a well-timed pass to Dalot.
The creative side of Antony's game has been criticised, but he showed more progress by providing for Dalot. This came after skipping inside - his trademark, which seems to be becoming more and more difficult to defend against.
Dalot's part in the goal - his first in the Premier League was equally as laudable. His forward pass from a central area and subsequent run set the tone for the move, with his finish clinical from a left-oriented position.
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Steve Cooper remarked upon the extent to which his Forest side struggled to keep up with United tactically, with Erik ten Hag's ingenuity showing through his decision to play Dalot at left-back, ordering him to invert. This caused a headache for the hosts, and was the reason behind United doubling their lead.
Ten Hag's players are starting to grow more tactically proficient, which is seeing his methods instilled with greater success - part of the reason why United are starting to make a name for themselves on the attacking front again. They are diversifying their attacking play, which is a good way of engineering unpredictability.
As often, United will have felt they were only a single goal ahead for slightly too long. Forest were able to put them under some unnecessary pressure, albeit not for long, at the start of the second half. Not finishing games off has been an issue and was part of what contributed to the freak collapse against Sevilla last week.
At least for United it is clear they haven't been shot-shy since losing to Newcastle United at the start of the month: they have averaged 23 shots per game in three league matches since managing only six at St James' Park, with the 20-shot mark breached against Everton (with 29) and now Forest (with a further 22).
Aided by Fernandes being in such scintillating form, United are starting to become a creative force again - a far cry from an inability to break down defences at times in recent seasons. They had six big chances against Forest, adding to seven against Everton. They definitely deserve more goals for their attacking efforts.
There was a Navas caveat on Sunday, but United nonetheless need to establish more of a clinical edge to pay for the amount of chances they create. Fernandes should no doubt have more than his 11 assists in all competitions this term, and United's goal tally should be bolstered if they sign a more prolific No.9 this summer.
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They have now already bettered last season's points tally by one point with eight games to go, with two more wins compared to last league campaign too.
And marked improvements are still rolling in week by week. There is some way to go, but from an attacking standpoint, they are really starting to resemble the side Ten Hag desires.
When there is a blip, they have shown they are able to bounce back, most recently to the defeat against Newcastle, which saw them completely outplayed and manage on six attempts compared to their opposition's 22.
The win over Forest should have given extra encouragement that they can still attack with prowess without far and away their most prolific attacker this season, with Marcus Rashford absent through injury. The signs are good for Ten Hag.
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