Nuno Espirito Santo asserted that Nottingham Forest effectively “managed” Manchester United in their 2-1 triumph in the Premier League on Saturday night.
Second-half goals from Nicolas Dominguez and Morgan Gibbs-White overturned Marcus Rashford’s equalizer, securing Forest’s second win in three games under Santo and propelling them to 15th place, five points clear of the relegation zone.
This victory followed Chris Wood’s hat-trick that led to a 3-2 success at Newcastle on Boxing Day, and Santo commended his players for their resilience, especially after Matt Turner’s mistake provided Manchester United with a lifeline.
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“I think we played well,” Santo stated. “In the first half, we controlled the game but didn’t generate many chances. We managed Manchester United, understanding their quality. It’s about unity, and the players performed admirably.
“In the first half, we had shots but lacked accuracy. The second half was different; we created more opportunities, and the first goal resulted from a good combination and a fantastic finish. Although we conceded, it’s my responsibility. You could say Matt [Turner] didn’t perform well, but they adhered to the playing philosophy.
“The players’ response to that moment showcased their character. Every moment in the game is crucial, not just with the ball but without it.
“The key lies in the players’ hard work. We’ve been here for 11 days, so the credit goes to them for their teamwork and fighting spirit.
“We began well with a good tempo, controlling Manchester United. They boast considerable talent, and we denied them the space to play. I believe the win was well-deserved.”
The defeat marked a somber conclusion for Manchester United in 2023. With a ninth Premier League loss of the season, Erik ten Hag’s team sits in seventh place. The Dutch manager remains optimistic about regaining key squad members from injury to rejuvenate their prospects in the second half of the campaign.