Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper was happy with his players after their Carabao Cup semfinal defeat at Manchester United.
Forest lost 2-0 on Wednesday night with United taking the tie 5-0 on aggregate.
Cooper said afterwards: “The performances were very different. I was disappointed last week, there was no doubt. Not just with the score line but with the timing of the goals, the lack of the game management for a two legged semi-final. There was some disappointing moments last week that reflected the score line and the damage really was done in terms of getting through over the two legs.
“We couldn’t say that before the game and we wouldn’t because you have to try and give yourself the best chance of trying to achieve something. Tonight was a lot better certainly in terms of performance and we’ve had two great chances in the first half. If you take one and you definitely take two then maybe it becomes a different story.
“As always I will look at the performance and look at what was not quite right. We should also remember this is the first time in the semi-finals for over 30 years. Loads of clubs would have loved to be in our position over the last two games.
“Although we are disappointed with losing two games and the score-line doesn’t look good on paper, overall it has been a good cup run, better than we have done over the last couple of years.
“At Forest we show respect and congratulations to United and Newcastle for getting to the final. We know how tough it’s been to get this far so to go one more is credit to them.”
