Nottingham Forest

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest's squad has "evolved really nicely" since their promotion three years ago and Champions League qualification would help them build upon it, says former midfielder Andy Reid.

Forest's win over Manchester United on Tuesday opened up an eight-point gap to fourth-placed Chelsea.

"It was tough after playing 120 minutes against Brighton with a lot of recovery and preparation involved but Nuno made some really good changes in game," Reid told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "He replaced players at the right time and gave Forest a real good platform to hold out and win a massive three points.

"When you think back to Forest being promoted three years ago, the turnover in players has been massive. The squad has evolved really nicely and the recruitment over the last two years has been very well thought through."

Forest overcame injuries to key players Chris Wood and Callum Hudson-Odoi to hold off United but Reid recognises the squad will need investment to thrive at the next level.

"To get into the Champions League and hold onto your top players is obviously massive but the income that it generates and being able to invest again also is," he said. "The owner is very ambitious and wants to have top-level success. He puts his money where his mouth is but with the financial rules you have to back it up with income.

"It's going to be very interesting to see where this journey takes us and it's so exciting for the Forest fans who for so many years have had it really tough.

"They can enjoy it and they are proud to come and support their team."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Nottingham Forest's 1-0 victory against Manchester United on Tuesday evening.

Here are some of your comments:

Tom: Wow, it's never over until the final whistle with Forest! But a great backs-to-the-wall effort and Murillo did what he does, in the right place at right time!

Ken: The teams we beat don't like our style, mainly because it's mightily successful. We don't try to be something we are not. We have a squad where even the fringe players want their squad mates to succeed - there's no bitterness there at all. Next season will be the test. We will need 10 more quality players to cope with the extra games we will have if we qualify for Europe, but as Cloughie said: "I hope anybody isn't stupid enough to write us off!"

Kris: It was another solid defensive display with devastating counter attacking and a brilliant goal to take the three points. Elanga got the plaudits, but Yates, Williams and Murillo really shone. With Wood and Hudson-Odoi, we would have made even lighter work of a team that lacked any cutting edge. The Champions League dream gets closer!

David: Very proud of our guys. I was worried with only getting three days rest between games. Anthony Elanga definitely had a score to settle with Man Utd. One more game down. Only a handful left to play. I actually think we can take some silverware this season as well.

James: What a win for Forest! Even when we were under the cosh, and just days after 120 mins and penalties at Brighton, we were so well organised and kept believing. The fans were incredible. Forest would be an asset to the Champions League!

John: No doubt much of the media will focus on United but hey, who cares. A masterclass goal from Elanga; a masterclass on how to defend a lead and concentrate until the final whistle and a masterclass from Yates on controlling the midfield. A superb performance especially after extra time and penalties on Saturday. Total commitment again. As a fan, you can't ask for better than this.

Samuel: Credit must go to Nuno Espirito Santo for how he has come into this club, following Steve Cooper after all he did, and transitioned these players into such a well organised team. They fight for one another and the crowd. The atmosphere around the club is electric. Thing is, they're just getting better and better. He must get manager of the season! I fancy us to beat Man City at Wembley as well!

Nottingham Forest, Arsenal and Newcastle are among the clubs interested in Roma's 25-year-old Ivory Coast defender Evan Ndicka, who is rated at 40m euros (£33.4m). (Caught Offside), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo, speaking to TNT Sports: "Suffer, hard work, believe, helping each other, clearance on the line. It was a very hard game for us."

On Anthony Elanga's goal: "He's a special boy and he gives this team his speed. He does it by himself and we are delighted."

On captain Ryan Yates: "He is a special player for us, club captain and he is heart of the team."

On making two first-half substitutes: "Look, I think the game was going away from us, we were not able to control and United were given too many situations.

"We decided on the injury [to Ola Aina] to go to a back five and Morato could give a hand. That was the reason behind it."

On Ola Aina's injury: "We don't know. Hopefully, it is not too serious."

On doing the double over Manchester United: "The records, the boys are breaking all of them and today the City Ground was part of the game. We were against the ropes. The City ground helps us."

On the Champions League: "Let's focus on the next one. It is day-by-day."

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest goalscorer Anthony Elanga, speaking to TNT Sports: "It is about attacking the space and getting to the opposite goal as quick as I can. I saw the space and I believe I'm one of the fastest players in the league.

"The finish is something I have been trying to work on. Left foot or right foot, I am quite comfortable with both feet this season.

"All you want to do is keep on improving, coming here is about playing and developing. I appreciate Manchester United so much as I learned a lot there. I am enjoying my football and I want to keep on going.

"We have one of the lowest possession in the league, but it has been effective and it is something we have worked on since pre-season. Murillo's block means more than a goal, seeing it on the bench I was like 'wow'.

On Forest's team spirit: "It started in pre-season, the manager came in December last season and when he came we struggled.

"He got his ideas across [during pre-season] and we have been able to play different systems. Every player can play any position. That togetherness is important and it says it on the pitch."

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest captain Ryan Yates, speaking to TNT Sports: "Special, after a massive performance.

"120 minutes the other day - it is unbelievable. The determination, fans were incredible and buzzing to keep the run going.

"We're having a great season. The past two seasons were about staying up, keeping our head above water, and we have got that momentum at the minute."

On goalscorer Anthony Elanga: "He is a dream for a midfielder. Especially us sitting in that low-block - you can give him the ball and he does the rest."

On possibly qualifying for Champions League: "I don't want to say as football is so cruel. We have got the cup to focus on and we have got the league.

"We are at Villa Park [on] Saturday and they're flying. We take each game as it comes."

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest have kept 13 clean sheets in the Premier League this season - more than any other side, and their joint-most ever in a campaign in the competition (also 13 in 1994-95).

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Nottingham Forest's performance

What did you make of Man Utd's display?

Come back to this page on Wednesday to find a selection of your replies

Three matches make up Tuesday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Arsenal v Fulham

• Wolves v West Ham

• Nottingham Forest v Manchester United (20:00 GMT) - Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

All kick-off times 19:45 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Pat Riddell
Fan writer

Image source, PA Media

Nottingham Forest do not do things the easy way.

Three consecutive penalty shootouts to reach an FA Cup semi-final is par for the course when it comes to this club.

Our route to the 1991 FA Cup final saw replays with Crystal Palace (two, no less), Newcastle and Southampton before beating Norwich City and West Ham to reach Wembley.

What happened that day remains a sore point for most Forest fans - Paul Gascoigne escaped punishment for two wild tackles and Brian Clough failed to win the one trophy that eluded him.

Making things difficult is a habit that is hard to break; securing enough points to avoid relegation last season only to be hit with a four-point PSR punishment, dodging the drop to League One on goal difference in 2017, clinching promotion back to the Championship in 2008 on the final day of the season.

Even en route to our first European Cup in 1979, Forest conceded three at home to Cologne in the first leg of the semi-final.

We have talked endlessly about Matz Sels, Ryan Yates, Morgan Gibbs-White and Nikola Milenkovic this season but it is the character of the whole squad, the whole club, that keeps on giving.

That was all evident in Saturday's win at Brighton. Nuno clearly has a high regard for the FA Cup and perhaps also a sense of unfinished business after his Wolves side lost to Watford in the 2019 semi-final.

Now set to face Manchester City, Forest's second trip to Wembley in three years harks back to the Clough era when trips down the M1 were a regular occurrence. Playing the Premier League champions and last year's runners-up, despite their toils this season, will of course be a huge occasion for a fanbase starved of success.

With two big matches this week against Manchester United and Aston Villa, the Reds' season is still very much alive on two fronts. And while it will not be easy, we can only hope Forest do not make it difficult for themselves - there are enough challenges as it is.

Find more from Pat Riddell at The Famous Club, external

Image source, Getty Images

Nikola Milenkovic says Nottingham Forest must not get carried away by their current position as they approach the closing stages of what has been a memorable campaign for the club.

Forest are third in the Premier League with nine games to play and will appear in their first FA Cup semi-final for 34 years later this month, providing chances to qualify for Europe next season for the first time in nearly three decades.

"It is difficult to imagine we could have been in this position," Serbia defender Milenkovic told BBC Sport chief football news reporter Simon Stone.

"But this is now our reality. We are so happy to be in this position at this moment.

"But we need to keep our feet on the ground. We have done nothing yet. We need to keep improving, keep working as a team and keep pushing in the last games."

Central to Forest's success has been the centre-back partnership between Milenkovic and Murillo.

Describing his 22-year-old team-mate as a "top player", Milenkovic said: "We understand each other really well. We complement each other really well.

"Our characteristics are different but that helps us to work better together. The relationship between us is very good.

"But the defence is all the team. If the rest of the team is defending well, it is easier for the back four and the goalkeeper. It is about the whole team but Murillo is a top player with very big potential - and he will get better."

Some 31 of the past 36 FA Cups have been won by one of five teams - but only one of those remains in this season's competition, and that is Manchester City.

Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea were all knocked out before the quarter-final stage this season and that has opened the door to other clubs to have a chance at getting their hands on the trophy.

"The cup used to be a lot more democratic and dominance of the cup used to be unthinkable," said New York Times chief football correspondent Rory Smith on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club. "That is unhealthy and it gets boring.

"It takes away a lot of the magic because if you go to seven semi-finals in seven years it takes the shine off.

"But most people don't support those clubs and they support other teams, so Newcastle have been a great advert to why other teams should be going all in for those tournaments."

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton added: "Newcastle's win will change the perception of the competitions that have almost felt second in importance to most Premier League teams."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

I am concerned how Nottingham Forest will cope without Chris Wood up front if he is out injured. At the moment, it is not clear how serious his problem is.

Forest made quite a few changes against Brighton in the FA Cup over the weekend, and still got through without 'the Wood-chopper', but they really need him back as soon as possible.

Speaking as a Forest fan, it is especially annoying that he has picked up this injury while on international duty.

New Zealand have got an excellent cricket and rugby union team and I wish them every success at football, but do they really need Wood to get through their World Cup qualification campaign against the likes of Fiji and New Caledonia?

I'd argue they don't need him, and that Wood is better than that. If I was from New Zealand, I'd probably have won about 700 caps, and there are greater priorities for Wood, which are to win the FA Cup and get Forest into next season's Champions League.

It will be harder for Forest without him, but I still think they can repeat their win at Old Trafford in December.

Saturday's FA Cup win over Brighton was not exactly a thriller, but as we have seen plenty of times from Forest already this season, they are not here to entertain - they are here to get the job done.

As for Manchester United, it is a big end to the season for their boss Ruben Amorim.

Bruno Fernandes has carried them a bit recently in the league, and he is their best hope of getting a positive result here.

I am not sure either side will be too bothered about having the ball, but Forest fans are happy for them to sit deep and play on the counter, even when they are at home, and they are really good at it.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Image source, Getty Images

Following their 3-2 win at Old Trafford in December, Nottingham Forest are looking to complete their first league double over Manchester United since 1991-92 under Brian Clough.

After their 3-0 win at Leicester, United are looking to win back-to-back Premier League games this season for the first time, and back-to-back away league games for the first time since winning three in a row in February 2024.

The Red Devils are one of only three sides yet to win successive Premier League fixtures this season, along with Ipswich and Southampton.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on whether Nottingham Forest should focus on trying to qualify for the Champions League or going all out to win the FA Cup.

Here are some of your comments:

Nippa: There is no preference. You play the next game to win and get what you get at the end of it all!

Ben: I want to be an FA Cup romantic, but Champions League football would provide such a big windfall that it offers a much better opportunity for establishing a strong foundation for future success. But with Forest's current form, do we really have to choose?

Kris: Financially, the Champions League offers the better opportunities for the club, so it has to be that really. That said, win the FA Cup and its silverware and a Europa League place - which might be more winnable. A nice choice to have!

Simon: I find it baffling that any fan would prefer top four over a cup win (I mean why not both? Can't believe as a Forest fan that I'm saying that!) Yes, European football brings in cash, but winning a cup is eternal. Look at the joy of Newcastle fans - they will remember this year more fondly than the year they made the top four.

Mick: If I was at Forest, I would want both. Win the cup and it's their first major trophy for a very long time. Qualify for the Champions League and it's a big increase in income and it's easier to retain players and attract new ones.

Richard: I may be old-fashioned and I realise that in the end it's all about the millions that clubs get from the Champions League, but the glory of winning the iconic FA Cup at Wembley simply outdoes the possible European adventure.

What do you think? Choose here

Not a Forest fan? Find and follow your club with BBC Sport

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Premier League game at home against Manchester United (20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Nuno began by offering an update on Chris Wood's fitness: "He's improving, getting better day by day. We have to assess him day by day. A big contusion so [it is] very painful."

• Asked if he had any other injury worries after the penalty shootout win over Brighton on Saturday in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, he smiled and said: "Of course we have. After we played extra time and a demanding game, we have to assess them all. I think we are recovering well. The joy and the happiness of coming through and playing at Wembley will for sure give us an extra run for tomorrow."

• On the quick turnaround after playing 120 minutes at Amex Stadium: "It's very difficult on the players but we see them and they are recovering well. They are always being positive so we are confident we can perform again against a good team. In this short turnaround, it is all about recovering. We're going to be OK."

• On the reaction to the win: "It was beautiful - everybody enjoyed. The fans enjoyed it and that is more important than anything. But it lasts so short and here we are again, focused on the game."

• He was pleased for Ryan Yates scoring the winning penalty: "It was a very special moment for him. It was incredible just to see his smile. Club captain, all his life here... he is over the moon."

• However, Nuno said the celebrations are over and Forest's attention has now totally switched: "Total focus only on tomorrow. It's always the same approach. Tomorrow is the most important one."

• On Forest's league position heading into the final stages of the season: "We are delighted. We are delighted that we're going to play more matches and to have chances to perform, to improve and to grow as a club and a squad."

• On the threat posed by visitors Manchester United?: "You can see the quality of the players and quality of the squad. They have quality all over the pitch. They have good options and solutions."

• On Callum Hudson-Odoi's form: "He's improving. He has had some outstanding performances this season and is getting better and better. You have to have pleasure and enjoy who you work with and Callum is a happy boy playing and working with his team-mates."

Follow all of Monday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Nottingham Forest's season just keeps getting better, but with an FA Cup semi-final and nine games to cement a place in the Champions League, we want to know which you deem to be more important.

A return to Europe's largest competition, or going all out to win silverware?

Let us know

Image source, Getty Images

Would you prefer Champions League qualification or lift the FA Cup?

That is the debate on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast after Nottingham Forest edged their way into the semi-finals of the FA Cup with a penalty shoot-out win at Brighton.

"We don't give Nuno Espirito Santo enough credit for what he does and how he runs Nottingham Forest tactically," said former Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker. "But I think Forest's priority will be sealing that Champions League qualification.

"The belief is there that they can get it done. Beating Brighton in the FA Cup is a fantastic bonus that they can add on to an already sensational season. I think nine out of 10 Forest fans will pick Champions League qualification over the FA Cup."

Forest will face Manchester City at Wembley for a place in the FA Cup final, while remaining five points clear of Chelsea who are occupying fourth in the Premier League table.

Tune in on BBC Sounds