Nottingham Forest player ratings as one scores 4/10 and a rare impressive 8/10 in Man Utd defeat

Against an injury hit Manchester United side, today’s clash seemed like the best available opportunity for The Reds to defy the bookies odds and get a result against Erik Ten Hag’s side.

Hopes were boosted somewhat when Marcel Sabitzer was injured 15 minutes before kick off, with Forest looking to capitalise on the late change.

Although Cooper’s side looked lively for some periods of the game, United controlled proceedings and stifled Forest, who were unable to get a shot on target.

Despite having hit the post and being denied a penalty from what seemed a Harry Maguire handball, the gulf between the two sides showed as Forest remain in the relegation zone with seven games remaining.

Keylor Navas (8)

Heroic effort from the Columbian. Great early save from a powerful sancho effort inside the box. Fantastic save from Fernandez effort but unable to parry Martial’s shot out of Antony’s path. World class save from a Fernandes effort in 55 min.

Renan Lodi (6)

Back from a knock and put in a reliable performance but appeared to tire as the second half went on.

Scott McKenna (6)

Great to see the Scot fit, healthy and back in the side. Hit the post from a corner in 23 minute but wasn’t able to shut out a depleted United side.

Felipe (7)

Important block early in the tie. Composed in possession when others around him are less so. Still without in a win in a Forest shirt.

Moussa Niakhate (5)

A welcome surprise after being forced off with hamstring strain against Villa but lacked the composure shown by Felipe. Looks to be still getting back to full match sharpness.

Neco Williams (6)

Energetic performance going forward for Forest and put some decent deliveries in the box but to no avail. Struggled defensively when United overloaded on the left.

Remo Frueler (4)

Another quiet game for the Swiss midfielder, who failed to assert himself in the game.

Danilo (6)

Beginning to look more assured in midfield with a box-to-box 1^st half performance, making some important clearances and interceptions. However, his his lack of Premier League experience showed. It was his mistake led to United’s opening goal trying to beat a man just outside Forest’s box.

Morgan Gibbs-White (5)

His interception and through ball to Brennan Johnson led to Forest’s best opportunity minutes before the half-time whistle but struggled to influence the game in any significant way beyond this.

Brennan Johnson (5)

A quiet performance from Forest’s top goal scorer. Often the target of ambitious long balls but looked less dangerous than usual.

Taiwo Awoniyi (6)

A nuisance in the opening stages, drawing an early yellow card from Harry Maguire. Much needed focal point during Forest’s bright spell in the first half but missed a golden opportunity just before half time.

Substitutions

Sam Surridge (5) (Replaced Awoniyi 65’)

Although Forest created very little in the way of chances, Surrdge was tenacious and a willing runner in The Red’s attempts to get a goal. (5)

Orel Mangala (5) (replaced Frueler 65’)

More energetic than Frueler but little impact for Forest.

Emmanuel Dennis (replaced Scott McKenna 80’) (N/A)

Very little time to make an impact as Forest chased the game.

Jesse Lingard (replaced Gibbs-White 87’) (N/A)

Short cameo against his old side. No real involvement.