Nottingham Forest beat Manchester United on Saturday as the Reds got back to winning ways after losing against Manchester City.
Goals from Nikola Milenkovic, Morgan Gibbs-White and Chris Wood ensured the first win at Old Trafford for 30 years for the club.
Jamie Redknapp hailed Nuno Espirito Santo after the win and the ridicule over him has seemingly ceased now.
There were a number of players in fine form against United.
Robbie Mustoe praised Ryan Yates for his efforts and he continues to be one of the Forest players who seemingly has a bit of a point to prove.
Elsewhere, Jason Lee was impressed with Matz Sels, whilst Espirito Santo himself said he was extremely happy with Chris Wood.
It was a memorable team performance from the Reds and this win should ignite some confidence going into the busy Christmas period.
Kelvin Wilson shares what role Ryan Yates has to play for Forest
Yates is currently the Forest captain and after injuries to top midfield players, he’s been given a chance to re-establish himself.
In large, he’s done that and right now, one of the two midfield shirts is certainly his.
Wilson has been quizzed on the form of Yates this season and there is a former Celtic teammate of his that he has compared him to.
He told the Forest Focus podcast: “The criticism he gets isn’t fair, okay, against City, he’s had a bad game, he’s been dragged at half-time but who was good in that game?
“I think he’s had a great season. This is definitely his best season in the Premier League for Forest, I know we’re only halfway through but it’s the best I’ve seen him on a consistent basis.
“He’s had a couple of bad games which he’s going to.
“Going back to the number six role. If Ryan Yates isn’t going to play as a number six, where does he play in the Nottingham Forest team?
“He doesn’t create much for the team, okay he gets the odd goal because he’s quite aggressive but he’s not going to create like Gibbs-White or Anderson.
“He’s a number six he has to go and win the ball back. I think he’s been okay but the positive things he’d done have definitely outweighed the cons.
“I played with a six at Celtic, Victor Wanyama and he did that role really well in Europe, that was his job and he was unbelievable, that’s what Yates is in this Forest team.
What Jamie Carragher said about Ryan Yates
Wilson is right to suggest that this is Yates’ best run of firm in the Forest team since the club won promotion.
However, it’s fair to say that Carragher would agree with Wilson in his assessment of Yates.
In January 2023, Forest star Yates was praised by Carragher after a 1-1 draw with Chelsea that gave the team a precious point in the quest against survival.
Yates has proved his critics wrong by becoming a regular in the Premier League.
With Forest fifth in the Premier League, his place in the side can’t come under scrutiny and perhaps now, Yates will get the praise that his form often deserves.
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