Nuno Espirito Santo's Impact Praised by Anthony Elanga After Nottingham Forest's Win

Anthony Elanga praised Nuno Espirito Santo's impact at Nottingham Forest after their win over Manchester United, while Ruben Amorim rued his side's lack of attacking quality.

Nottingham Forest coach Nuno Espirito Santo was effusive in his praise for Anthony Elanga, lauding the winger's exceptional performance in their crucial 1-0 victory over Manchester United on Tuesday.

Elanga's match-winning goal was a testament to his remarkable speed and skill. The winger embarked on a breathtaking solo run, covering 85 meters in a mere nine seconds, as he burst from deep within his own half to the edge of the Manchester United penalty area, ultimately scoring a stunning goal that sealed the win for Nottingham Forest.

Anthony Elanga, the Swedish winger who was sold by Manchester United in 2023, made a lasting impact on the game with his incredible speed and skill. Elanga's blistering solo run culminated in a calm and composed finish, as he drilled the ball past Andre Onana to give Nottingham Forest the lead at the City Ground.

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo was full of praise for Elanga, highlighting the unique qualities he brings to the team. “He's a special boy and he gives this team his speed. He does it by himself and we are delighted,” Nuno said. The Forest boss also acknowledged the challenges his team faced during the game, noting that they had to work hard to secure the victory. “I think the game was going away from us. We had to suffer. Hard work, believe, helping each other, clearance on the line. It was a very hard game.”

Elanga's fifth-minute goal proved to be the decisive moment in the game, securing Nottingham Forest's latest impressive victory in what has been a fairytale season. Just a year after battling to avoid relegation, Nuno's team is now sitting third in the Premier League, exceeding expectations and defying odds.

HUGE THREE POINTS! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/ciaAkcrdpm

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) April 1, 2025

Nottingham Forest is on the cusp of achieving something remarkable, with a Champions League spot within reach and an FA Cup semi-final appearance, their first in 34 years. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo acknowledged the significance of the City Ground's atmosphere in their victory. “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,” Nuno said.

When asked about the possibility of leading Forest to the Champions League for the first time since the 1980-81 season, Nuno preferred to focus on the present moment. “Let's focus on the next one. It is day-by-day,” he said, choosing not to get ahead of himself despite the excitement surrounding the team's prospects.

Anthony Elanga's pace was the decisive factor in Forest's success, as they employed a counter-attacking strategy that exploited the space behind Manchester United's defense. Elanga explained his approach, saying, “It is about attacking the space and getting to the opposite goal as quick as I can.” The 22-year-old also highlighted his confidence in his speed, stating, “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.”

Anthony Elanga praised the impact of Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo, who joined the club in December of the previous season. Elanga highlighted Nuno's influence on the team's cohesion and adaptability. “The manager came in December last season and we struggled, but he got his ideas across in pre-season,” Elanga said. “We have been able to play different systems. That togetherness is important and it says it on the pitch.”

The bond in this team. ❤️

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) April 1, 2025

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim attributed his team's defeat to a lack of attacking quality. Despite controlling the game and creating opportunities, United struggled to deliver the final pass or assist. “We controlled the game. We tried with good opportunities, but the last pass, the last assist wasn't there. Then if we don't have that we cannot score,” Amorim said. “This season is like that. We had a lot of shots on goal, we pushed the opponent, but in the last third we had a lack of quality.”

Amorim emphasized the need for his team to win games and expressed disappointment at not securing a victory against Nottingham Forest. “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,” he said. With Manchester United languishing in 13th place in the Premier League, their only hope for salvaging the season lies in the Europa League, where they face Lyon in the quarter-finals.

Despite their lowly position, Amorim insisted that his team is making progress. “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,” he said. Amorim emphasized the importance of focusing on their upcoming matches, including the Europa League quarter-final against Lyon and their next Premier League game against Manchester City. “We have Europa League and we have the next game in the Premier League and that is the focus.”