Espirito Santo hails squad improvement after Forest’s win at Old Trafford

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo hailed his side’s improvement as a key factor in their first win over Manchester United at Old Trafford in 30 years.

Defender Nikola Milenkovic scored from a corner after just 90 seconds as Forest won 3-2 and inflicted a second defeat on United boss and Espirito Santo compatriot Ruben Amorim.

Morgan Gibbs-White and Chris Wood also scored, with the latter writing his name into the history books by becoming Forest’s all-time leading goalscorer in the Premier League.

Hojlund equalized for United a quarter of an hour after Milenkovic’s opener and Bruno Fernandes – who was partly to blame for Gibbs-White’s goal almost immediately after the restart – pulled one back for the hosts.

Nikola Milenkovic scores his FIRST goal for Nottingham Forest! ⚽⚡ pic.twitter.com/Ni1AMQBydE

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 7, 2024

But Forest held on for a famous victory, much to the delight of their manager.

“(We showed) togetherness, faith, the desire to improve and the belief that we can compete against any team,” Espirito Santo told Sky Sports.

“The start of the match is very important. How we start is a big detail and changes everything.

“We know United are a great team and they wanted to react. In the first half, we were not fully organized. The start of the second half was great.

“So it means a lot. The journey we are trying to make together makes sense as long as everyone believes. Even if you come off the bench, you can play your part.”

On the importance of dead ball situations, the Forest boss added: “We always try to be consistent in our set-ups. That’s something we’ve improved. Thank God it worked out right because we spend a lot of time at the training ground trying to repeat.

“The only thing I think we should have done better is the counter attack. We didn’t achieve too much.

“But the unity of the team was good.”

A birthday present for our records @PremierLeague goal scorer. 🎁 pic.twitter.com/YjaLTPGOzk

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) December 7, 2024

Gibbs-White also praised striker Wood and admitted he enjoyed playing with the 33-year-old.

“I love working with Woody. He’s an incredible hitter to work with,” Gibbs-White said.

“I just know exactly where he will be, what he will do. Always peels off defenders, comes forward. I picked him nicely but, in fairness to him, he did all the work.

“I like to play with him in the moment.”