Forest boss admits he’s a big fan of one ‘fantastic’ Manchester United star

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Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo believes his team will have to be at their best defensively to keep Manchester United and Bruno Fernandes quiet during Saturday’s Premier League clash at the City Ground.

Hopefully, for the Red Devils, Nottingham Forest are readying themselves for a thump back down to earth, that ‘new manager bounce’ wearing off after Chris Wood’s stunning hat-trick silencing St James’ Park on Boxing Day.

In his second home game as Forest boss, Nuno Espirito Santo will go eyeball to eyeball with his compatriot Bruno Fernandes. A player who, not that he needs any extra motivation, will break Mesut Ozil’s Premier League record if the Manchester United captain creates five goalscoring opportunities from open play on Saturday teatime.

Manchester United travel to Nottingham Forest

“We have to compete very well and improve defensively – especially in terms of defending our own box,” Nuno explains, via the Nottingham Post. “I think we did well (against Newcastle). But I think we have to be very careful because they have threats all over the pitch.

“United are a big club, with fantastic players. We know it will be hard and we saw how they came back from behind (against Aston Villa) and how they changed the game. So we expect a very, very difficult game.

“I have a big admiration for Bruno Fernandes. He’s a big player. We have to take care of all of them. They’re so good. But we are at the City Ground and coming back off a good game. What we want is to compete well and give it a go.”

Bruno Fernandes could break record

United’s skipper has created 100 goalscoring chances from open play in 2023. Only Ozil (105) has more in a calendar year during the Premier League era.

Fernandes was back at his fabulous best against Aston Villa, restored to his favoured number ten role in the absence of Scott McTominay. Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho produced arguably their finest performances of the campaign vs Unai Emery’s high-flyers too, while Rasmus Hojlund opened his Premier League account at the 15^th attempt.