Nottingham Forest were beaten 3-0 by Manchester United last night but Danilo was a player who showcased one bright spark for the Reds. The Brazilian was handed a start at the expense of Ryan Yates who missed out through illness.
This was always going to be a tough ask for Forest. United are bang in form and now they have a real chance to go to Wembley and win a trophy for the first time in six years.
Forest have done well to reach this stage of the competition. Next week’s second leg is nothing more than an exercise to restore some pride at Old Trafford and the chances of reaching the final are non-existent.
It’s hard to find a positive from last night. But, one did emerge in the shape of Danilo who made his home debut after arriving from Palmeiras last week in a deal worth £16 million.
With Yates injured it made perfect sense to start him at the City Ground. He slotted into the middle of the park, with Remo Freuler and Gustavo Scarpa for company in the engine room.
He didn’t disappoint either. Danilo looked composed, assured and willing to get on the ball; despite the Reds facing vastly inferior opposition on a huge night for the club.
Danilo the bright spark as Forest are thrashed
It was a bad night for the Reds. At times against the better sides in the Premier League, you simply have to hold your hands up and say the better side won and that was evident last night.
United are one of the best clubs in the world. After years of mismanagement and underperforming, Erik ten Hag now has the Red Devils firmly on the right track once again.
Danilo wasn’t fazed, however. He played for just shy of an hour on his home debut and completed 91% of his passes at the City Ground.
One of his passes was a real beauty. Under pressure from Casemiro, he swung his left foot at the ball and it found Morgan Gibbs-White who teed up Sam Surridge to score; only for VAR to intervene.
He was solid defensively too. The Brazilian title-winner made three tackles and also made three clearances during his time on the pitch.
Forest already look to have hit the jackpot with Danilo. Against some of the division’s lesser sides, he will prove a real handful and the Reds can already feel satisfied with the deal to bring him to the club.
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