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Nottingham Forest do the double over Man Utd as Ruben Amorim admits ‘pressure is too big’

Nottingham Forest party after they do the double over Man Utd as Ruben Amorim admits that the ‘pressure is too big’.

Anthony Elanga scored an incredible solo goal in the first half against his former side to leave Forest now eight points clear of Chelsea in fourth while United sit down in 13th in the Premier League.

Elanga, who joined United as a 12-year-old, made his way forward from his own penalty area in the fifth minute, covering 85m in the space of just nine seconds, as you can see in the match highlights below.

He signed for Forest from United for £15m in 2023, in the hope of regular football, and continued his excellent season and boost his side’s Champions League hopes.

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 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 Saturday and they’re flying. We take each game as it comes.”

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.”

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim, speaking to TNT Sports: “We controlled the game, but we already knew this team can score goals out of nothing. When they scored we changed the game a little bit from what they want. We tried with good opportunities, but in the last third, the last pass, the last assist wasn’t there. Then if we don’t have that we cannot score goals.

“This season is like that. We had a lot of shots on goal, we pushed the opponent to the last third, but in the last third we had a lack of quality. We need to win games and we deserved more in this game, that is clear, but it is our fault and we need to be better in the last third. We should have won this game, not even drawn, but in the end we have lost three points.

“We know the characters of the team and one goal can put them in one situation they love. We have to score two goals to win a match and that is frustrating as it was the beginning of the game. We helped them to win three points.”

On Man Utd progressing: “I see it in the game. I don’t lie to myself, everyone can say whatever they want to say, but we need to win games. We go to the next game.

“We have Europa League and we have the next game in the Premier League and that is the focus.”

Amorim speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: “It is clear we should have taken something, but we have to focus on the goal we conceded. Nottingham are really good on the transition and it was a goal from nothing.

“Suffering the first goal in this way puts the opponent in the position they want to be in, defending with a lot of men and making the transitions. During the game we lacked a bit of quality in the final third which is important when you are trying to win games. We deserved more.”

On the Forest goal: “We have men to block and a whole pitch to run in which to make a foul. We have to make better decisions.”

On introducing Harry Maguire as a sub: “If you look at the game in the final 15 minutes they were defending with six men in the box so we had to get more players in there. We cannot get inside the box with the combinations.

“Harry Maguire is really strong on set pieces and when you are in the opposite box you are a striker not a defender. He is maybe the best guy to play inside the box.”

On the Manchester derby on Sunday: “If you look at the game we are improving the way we play football, we are creating chances and dominating the games more. We know that this season is going to be like that, win momentum, lose momentum. We continue going into the next match.”

Amorim, speaking to BBC MOTD: “We suffered that first goal and it helped the opponent to play the game they want. We have quality in the last third, but we tried everything to score a goal and we didn’t score, and we lose three points.

“We were so near the [Forest] box, but we lacked quality in the final third.

“We have to improve and we are pushing the opponent more to their half, now we have to improve in the final third. They have a lot of men [behind the ball] and it was hard to make a connection to get inside the box.

“It is always frustrating when you don’t win. Especially when you look at game, we deserve more than losing the game.

“Today we push the maximum that we can. We were so near the goal especially in the end.”

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 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.”

Here’s how fans reacted as Nottingham Forest do the double over Man Utd as Ruben Amorim admits the ‘pressure is too big’…

@henjohansen1: We had 120 mins in our legs against a fully rested United team. This team is for real, and this is a massive win. Well done, boys, hard work and a tactical well worked plan. And Elanga burning off the field once was enough! Hope Aina is back soon, love YOU REDS! 💪🏻⚽️🔴⚪️❤️

@Mozzy_50: Best game of football I’ve seen in a long time. Proper entertainment. The battles between Yates and Fernandez, Williams stopping crosses from both sides of the pitch, the big Serb and Brazilian maestro saving the game at the end and Antony, with that electric pace. Wow. COYR!

@NFFC_Callum: Fucking fighters we are absolutely incredible shift once again Murillo WOW 😍

@DPashley01: Not the prettiest, doesn’t have to be when we get 3 points! COYRS!!!!!

@FTM1042: Wow.. well done lads from a Sunderland fan I be absolutely delighted to see Forest in champions league next season & remember your there on merit. The Nottingham Forest fans are very special & what a club. Brian clough be proud ❤️🥺 well done 👏

@_Broughy: Huge win lads, keep doing us proud till the end of the season. Yates rattled another midfield tonight, solid at slowing the game down when we needed it most and some unreal defending from everyone!

@Tr1ckyTrees: Brian Clough would be so proud of this team and He would absolutely adore Nuno and his values ❤️❤️

@forestmad80: That performance from Ryan Yates today was simply exceptional & one that I must admit, I wasn’t even sure he was capable of. The work rate, tenacity has always been there but he’s learned to sprinkle the above with real & genuine quality. Couldn’t be happier for the lad. #NFFC

@Joshnffc1993: After 120 mins on Saturday, to a man the work rate is non short of incredible , the spirit, & elanga is faster than the speed of light

@Samitpatel21: Firstly what a great individual goal from Elanga. What a result tonight @NFFC the boys should be so proud. It was always going to be a tough game with such short rest period from Saturday. Talk about resilience desire and energy. Well done boys 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥.

@RhysWilliams79: None of them should ever have to pay for a drink in Nottingham again. Evidently shattered from 120 minutes on Saturday and were still throwing themselves at everything. We have struck gold with this group of players. Absolutely fucking sublime #nffc

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