How did Nuno set up #NFFC to prevent #MUFC from playing the ball into central areas in the build up phase?🧵 Forest set up with MGW & Wood deeper, looking after the Man Utd CMs. The winger on either side is expected to push forward when the ball is on their side of the pitch.

There was similar plan behind #NFFC's first line, as Anderson & Yates largely went man for man with #MUFC's attacking midfielders.

Right from the start of the game we see that Wood is staying close to Ugarte. #NFFC are trying to restrict #MUFC from playing any easy balls into the central areas during the build up phase.

Throughout the game Wood was consistently looking over his shoulder, monitoring the movement of Ugarte. He continued to make slight adjustments to cut off the passing lanes for #NFFC.

Wood was only really caught out once for #NFFC, and unfortunately it led to the equalising goal for #MUFC. Initially here he's in a good position as we see De Ligt gesturing for a team mate to move into the space between Hudson-Odoi & Wood.

De Ligt continues to carry the ball forward as Ugarte moves a little further behind Wood. The striker is caught in two minds weather to press for #NFFC or drop deeper.

Eventually Bruno Fernandes moves into the space for #MUFC, and Anderson isn't tight enough so he can play a simple pass to Ugarte who has lots of space to move in to. Because #NFFC's central midfielders are wide, there's a huge gap between the front line and defensive line.

Immediately after the goal, #NFFC drop back deeper to reduce the space behind the first line. This is perhaps a little more passive than they'd like to play, but it provides a platform to regain a little control in the match.

At half time Nuno asked #NFFC to stay narrow centrally and press from the wingers. Jota Silva implements that instruction straight away and jumps onto Martinez as soon as he receives the ball, as Wood & MGW stay on the #MUFC central midfielders.

#NFFC were by no means passive for the whole game. When the #MUFC build-up shape isn't in its normal shape, Forest press with intent and with numbers to try and create turnovers. Here Wood presses Onana and Jota Silva looks over his shoulder before pressing Martinez.

It's important to press as a team, so it's great to see MGW follow his team forward to prevent easy passes for #MUFC. #NFFC have now triggered the press and will be in a promising position should they turn the ball over.

Hudson-Odoi now is the man pressing from the wing as requested by Nuno - #NFFC have 4 men in the final third as Yoro plays a pass down the line for Fernandes.

It's a poor pass and Hudson-Odoi picks it up and travels forward. Because of the numbers forward for #NFFC, CHO has 3 options. He can pass left to Wood, continue on the ball himself, or pass right to MGW - this means Ugarte is hesitant to commit at this stage.

This gives space for MGW to receive the ball for #NFFC - and even he has the option to pass and slide in Jota for a chance on goal. Instead he takes the shot which thankfully goes in!

After the 3rd goal #NFFC are still looking to try and create turnovers. Again Hudson-Odoi on the wing is furthest forward, taking on board Nuno's half-time instructions. MGW & Wood are still occupying #MUFC's central midfielders.

As Ugarte drops deep to try and get on the ball, #MUFC pass backward. Knowing there's nobody behind him now, Wood can trigger the press for #NFFC onto the defence.

Wood continues to press forward for #NFFC onto Onana and is followed by his team mates Hudson-Odoi and Jota Silva. There's no easy short pass for Onana.

Onana looks for a risky pass for #MUFC into Mainoo - if it comes off then they'll have a decent chance to get forward with #NFFC players caught up the field - but MGW sees this pass and moves to intercept it.

Once again, as #NFFC intercept the ball because of the well-timed and well-constructed press, Forest have multiple numbers in the final third and can create an opportunity to score another goal.

A few minutes later as we see #MUFC back in their normal build-up shape, #NFFC return to their conventional line of 4 with Jota Silva waiting to press Martinez again, Nuno's instructions still clear in his mind.

As Wood is caught in two minds (like he was in the first) to either press De Ligt or stay back, we see Hudson-Odoi make a very smart call in moving to drop into the space to cover Ugarte. This is really nice from CHO and is likely something identified at half-time by #NFFC as part of Nuno's tactical tweaks.

For me #MUFC were much less threatening when Bruno came off, not just because of his departure but also that of Ugarte. #NFFC have already gone to a back 3/5 so there should be more space in the middle, but Amorim removes a player from the space which means Forest have less to worry about in central areas during the build up. We see now there's just Mainoo occupying that space behind Forest's front line.

Even as #MUFC progress forward, it's still just Mainoo behind the #NFFC front line. This means Man Utd either have to play low-percentage/difficult balls forward to the strikers, or go into wider areas. Both options suit Forest who now have more men in the defensive line and will be even more comfortable at defending crosses with Morato on the field.

Because of this switch from #MUFC, Nuno felt comfortable in taking Wood off for #NFFC in the closing stages, replacing him with Dominguez who slotted in as the centre forward. There's a lot less responsibility on the Forest front line now and Dominguez was rarely troubled out of possession in an unfamiliar position.