Nuno Espirito Santo surprised many fans with his lineup versus Manchester City, with youngster Zach Abbott a surprise inclusion.
Ola Aina’s injury and Neco Williams’ suspension meant Forest were light on defensive numbers heading into the semi-final.
Many fans would have expected Morato to feature, but it would be youngster Zach Abbott who started at right-back.
Abbott has impressed for Forest’s reserves this campaign, so much so that Espirito Santo would trust him with a start at Wembley.
At only 18 years old, Forest teammate Ryan Yates handed the youngster some words of encouragement prior to the game.
Ryan Yates’ message to Zach Abbott
Abbott has been tipped for success for some time now, with his defensive talents catching the eye of his Forest teammates since making the first-team step-up.
Speaking prior to Forest’s clash with Manchester City, City Ground skipper Yates spoke on Abbott’s inclusion, also revealing what he said to him prior to kick-off.
“It may have come as a slight surprise at 18 years of age. But he has been with us all season and hasn’t had much of an opportunity, but what better occasion to put a marker down for the football club.
“We said to him, ‘you’re a fantastic defender, just do what you do best and go out there and enjoy it,” Yates told ITV Sport.
When asked by Ian Wright whether he believed Abbott was ready for the step-up, Yates said:
“I don’t know if you can chuck anyone in that sort of situation. He made his debut with me in the Carabao Cup when he was 15 years old, I got put back to centre-back, and he got put on alongside me.
Ever since then, he’s come on leaps and bounds; he’s a really confident lad. I was looking at him when he was preparing, and he seemed really relaxed and really confident.”
Abbott equals Marcus Rashford FA Cup record
Featuring in any top-level game at 18 years old is impressive, but starting in an FA Cup semi-final – well, that doesn’t come around too often.
The competition has helped kick-start the careers of thousands of players over the years, and it could again do the same for Abbott.
With that being said, at just 18 years and 349 days old, Abbott is actually the youngest player since Marcus Rashford to start an FA Cup game at Wembley.
Abbott has been learning from Nikola Milenkovic this season and will no doubt see the City clash as the perfect opportunity to showcase his skills on the grandest stage.
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