Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has highlighted the significance of experienced defender Willy Boly, despite the player’s limited on-field time this season. As the team prepares to face Manchester United, Nuno emphasized Boly’s crucial behind-the-scenes role, even though he has only featured for 181 minutes this campaign.
The match against Manchester United comes on the heels of a challenging 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, with Forest seeking immediate redemption. Weather concerns linger, with 45mph winds predicted around kick-off time, though the match appears likely to proceed.
Nuno and Boly share a long-standing professional relationship, having worked together previously at both Wolverhampton Wanderers and Porto. The manager praised Boly’s value beyond his playing time, highlighting his importance in mentoring younger players and maintaining squad morale.
“It’s huge, believe me, it’s very important to have this kind of players in the squad that realise okay, I’m not starting, but I’m still so important to put the message across to use my experience to the young lads,” Nuno explained.
However, Boly’s long-term future at Forest appears uncertain. With his contract expiring in June and limited playing time this season, he seems likely to depart. The current defensive lineup of Murillo and Niklo Milenkovic appears stable, with Morato as the preferred backup option.
The match represents a critical moment for Forest, offering a chance to bounce back from recent disappointments and potentially make a statement against Manchester United. Nuno’s comments about Boly underscore the importance of squad depth and experienced players, even when they’re not regularly featuring in the starting lineup.
