OLA Aina and Samuel Chukwueze warmed up for the Africa Cup of Nations by helping their teams, Nottingham Forest and AC Milan, to key wins over Manchester United and Sassuolo tonight.
Both players have been included in the Super Eagles squad for the 2023 AFCON, which will be held in Cote d’Ivoire from January 13 to February 11.
Playing at left-back, the versatile Aina was one of the standout players for Nottingham Forest as they ended their long losing streak against Manchester United with a 2-1 Premier League victory at the City Ground.
Nicolas Dominguez gave Forest the lead in the 64th minute but United pulled level through Marcus Rashford before Morgan Gibbs-White struck the winner for the hosts eight minutes from time.
It is Nottingham Forest’s first Premier League win over Manchester United since 1994, and also their first victory against the Red Devils in all competitions in their last 12 attempts.
The result compounded Erik ten Hag’s woes as his Manchester United side have lost 21 games in all competitions in 2023.
Only in 1930 (28 games), 1972 (25 games) and 1921 (24 games) have United ever lost more in a calendar year, according to Opta statistics.
While United slipped to seventh, Forest increased the distance between themselves and the relegation zone to five points with their second straight victory since Nuno Espirito Santo replaced Steve Cooper as manager.
In Italy, Chukwueze was an 82nd minute substitute as Christian Pulisic’s second-half goal earned Milan a 1-0 home win over Sassuolo.
The victory ensures that AC Milan will finish the year in third place in Serie A, nine points behind leaders and bitter City rivals Inter Milan.
