Nottingham Forest fullback, Ola Aina suffered a possible calf-related injury during his side’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Manchester United at the City Ground on Tuesday night.
Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi both started for Forest, but the night ended on a bittersweet note for the Nigerian star.
The RB, who has been a key player for Nuno Espírito Santo’s side, was forced off in the 39th minute and replaced by Alex Moreno after appearing to pick up a knock.
He hobbled off the pitch, and his injury could now be a significant setback for Forest, who are in contention for a UEFA Champions League spot and the FA Cup race.
The 28-year-old has been a vital part of Nottingham Forest’s campaign, excelling both defensively and offensively.
Meanwhile, the match itself was settled early on, thanks to a moment of individual brilliance from Anthony Elanga.
Elanga came back to haunt his former club, racing from deep inside his own half to score a stunning solo goal just five minutes into the contest.
Despite United pushing for an equalizer, Forest defended resolutely, frustrating Ruben Amorim’s side and holding on for an important three points.
Even in his limited time on the pitch, Aina put in an impressive display, completing 91% of his passes, blocking a shot, and preventing any opponent from dribbling past him.
Awoniyi, leading the attack in place of the injured Chris Wood, was a lively presence upfront. The striker put in a tireless shift before being substituted for Ibrahim Sangaré in the 85th minute.
With this victory, Nottingham Forest continue to cement their position in the Premier League’s top four, sitting third with 57 points from 30 matches.
However, with eight games remaining in the campaign, Espírito Santo will be hoping Aina’s injury is not a long-term concern.
