As Old Trafford emptied, the noise from the away end reverberated around the stadium. Steve Cooper and his Nottingham Forest players were serenaded and applauded off the pitch after they had walked over to acknowledge the travelling fans.
The Reds’ Carabao Cup run might have come to an end. But there was appreciation and pride at having got this far; for having forged new memories to go with the past glories in this particular competition. If you didn’t know any different, you might have thought Forest were the ones who had sealed a place in the final.
Cooper’s side don’t need a trip to Wembley this year to prove they are on an upward trajectory, though. It would have been nice - and getting there was certainly the aim before a ball had been kicked in the last-four - but if there is any sense of disappointment among players, staff or supporters, it shouldn’t linger too long.
