We are devastated, there’s no way we can win against Man United now” – This is according to Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo as he admits that Nottingham Forest could be missing their two key players against Manchester United.
Nottingham Forest secured their place in the FA Cup semi-finals with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Brighton & Hove Albion over the weekend—but it came at a cost.
The Midlands side had to navigate the shootout without captain Morgan Gibbs-White, who was substituted just before the end of extra time. The decision initially puzzled fans, given his strong record from the spot, but manager Nuno Espírito Santo later confirmed that an injury forced the change.
“We need to assess him. He had a significant impact against the post, and his leg wasn’t in the best condition. He was struggling, and in the final minutes, you could see we were under pressure. We brought on Morato to help us hold on for penalties,” the Forest boss explained, as reported by Manchester World.
Nuno Delivers Injury Setback Ahead of United Clash
Morgan Gibbs-White and Chris Wood may both be unavailable when Forest take on Manchester United at the City Ground.
Wood was already sidelined for Saturday’s match after picking up an injury during international duty with New Zealand. His availability remains uncertain for the upcoming fixture.
“Let’s see how he recovers—it’s a day-by-day situation. He suffered a significant impact on his hip, and the pain is severe. We’re disappointed that Chris isn’t with us. I can’t say for sure whether he’ll be fit to face United,” Espírito Santo told reporters.
United’s chances of securing a result in Nottingham would likely improve if either Gibbs-White or Wood is absent, as both have played pivotal roles in Forest’s impressive campaign.
However, the team still boasts key players like Anthony Elanga, who is enjoying the most productive season of his career, and a solid defensive lineup featuring Murillo, Nikola Milenkovic, and Ola Aina, all of whom will look to make life difficult for United’s attackers.
Having defeated the Red Devils at home for the first time in 29 years in December 2023, Forest now has the opportunity to complete a historic Premier League double against them.
Morgan Gibbs-White and Chris Wood potentially missing the clash against Manchester United is a big blow for Nottingham Forest, especially given their attacking contributions. Gibbs-White has been their creative spark, and Wood’s presence up front provides a physical threat.
From United’s perspective, this could be a crucial advantage, particularly given their inconsistent performances this season. However, Forest still has dangerous players like Anthony Elanga, who will undoubtedly be motivated to impress against his former club.
Defensively, Murillo and Milenkovic have formed a strong partnership, so United’s attack—whether it’s Rasmus Hojlund, Amad Diallo, or even Bruno Fernandes if he’s deployed further forward—will have to be at their sharpest.
Do you think Amorim should tweak United’s approach for this match, or should they go full strength regardless of Forest’s absences?
