Nuno explains why the Premier League's 'big six' era is coming to an end

Nuno Espirito Santo believes that clubs like his Nottingham Forest are putting an end to the era of the ‘big six’ in the Premier League.

Forest face Manchester United — a member of that group — at the City Ground on Tuesday night, aiming to boost their bid for Champions League football.

Nuno’s men are also in the FA Cup semi-finals, while United languish 13th in the table and have just Europa League silverware to chase.

While United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham are the wealthiest clubs, they have faced greater competition on the pitch from teams with less resources such as Forest, Brighton, Fulham, Aston Villa and Bournemouth.

Forest boss Nuno said: ‘It has been changing. This gap no longer exists in such a predominant way. Us as clubs besides the big six have been able to improve and compete.

‘It’s a question of recruitment, and the competition itself makes players reach a higher level when they get to the Premier League. It’s about the quality of the players, the managers, and the quality of the game.’

Forest’s season is turning into one of their most memorable of modern times. Their shootout victory over Brighton last Saturday ensures at least one trip to Wembley this season, initially for the Cup semi-final against Manchester City at the end of the month.

And with five teams expected to qualify for next season’s Champions League, Forest are in an excellent spot. Nuno’s third-placed side are seven points clear of Newcastle in sixth, though Eddie Howe’s team have a game in hand.

United boss Ruben Amorim must have dreamed of having an impact like Nuno’s on Forest after taking over from Erik ten Hag last November.

Instead, he has so far failed to improve the situation at Old Trafford, although Nuno expressed sympathy for his fellow Portuguese.

Nuno has flourished at Forest in his first full season after a tricky opening campaign that featured a long fight against relegation.

He added: ‘It is very difficult for any of us to implement ideas when you join (in mid-season). It’s a tough job.’

Forest’s top scorer Chris Wood missed the win over Brighton with a hip injury sustained while playing for New Zealand during the international break and Nuno was cagey on whether he would recover in time to face United.

‘It’s all about him being pain-free and then returning to fitness,’ Nuno admitted. ‘We have to assess him day by day.’