Integrity of league ‘is a mess’ - Nuno

manufacture the bullets, so step forward Gordon and Bruno, Jacob Murphy or Harvey Barnes. Maybe Elliot Anderson. We don’t care if it is Uncle Tom Cobley as long as it is someone.

Of course Burnley’s do-ordie efforts to avoid the drop will fully test United, and their frailty on the road will only add to the challenge but then it has all come down to this. Embrace it or it will finish you off.

If you have gained the reputation of Isak and, yes, Wilson down time then you have to repeatedly earn it and now is the time to do so again.

Score away as well as before 50,000 voices of approval. Big players step up in big moments. Significantly, Isak can do that – he has notched eight of his 23 away from the Tyne to 15 at home.

Some would argue that this is perhaps United’s toughest remaining test given that the Clarets will be fighting for their lives from a platform of limited success recently. Brighton have to come here and their season has imploded anyway, Man U are so flaky they can be taken home or away, and Brentford will have nothing to play for on the final day whereas United probably will have.

The Magpies may be in good Kompany but this is no time to be genial visitors. United could do with winning and it doesn’t matter how. Beating Fulham 1-0 after being outplayed first-half brings the same three points as destroying Champions League-chasers Aston Villa 3-1.

At this stage of proceedings it is all about scoring one more than the opposition. There is no bonus point for style.

To bring about three points the defence must play well as a unit not just the strikers find a goal. That being so, I’m looking apprehensively towards Martin Dubravka and praying he can hit a purple patch where everything goes his way.

For me, Martin is a reactive keeper rather than a proactive one. He often fails to dominate situations.

I am very much aware of his loyal service and what we owe him. Dubravka was actually voted North East Player of the Year in the dark days, but his hesitancy has cost United a few times since his return.

Could he have claimed the ball on the cross for Sheffield United’s goal and certainly not be beaten through his legs? And should he have done better when rounded by an opponent only for Dan Burn to rescue him on the line?

A lot has been made of who United have missed the most over long periods of this season – Joelinton, Botman, Trippier, Willock. Well for me, Nick Pope is up there with Big Joe.

NOTTINGHAM Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo says the sporting integrity of the Premier League is suffering as the club continues to wait for the verdict of their points deduction appeal.

Forest were expecting to hear earlier this week whether they have been successful in contesting their four-point penalty for breaking the league’s profit and sustainability rules.

However, it had not arrived by Thursday and Nuno says it is not fair on them or the rest of the division.

They are involved in a three-way fight to avoid the remaining two relegation spots, but neither Forest nor their rivals Burnley and Luton know the exact situation.

Forest, who are currently a point above third-bottom Luton, are hoping to get at least one point back in their appeal which could have a big impact on the relegation battle.

“We’ve been dealing with this situation for a while,” Nuno said ahead of tomorrow’s crunch visit to relegated Sheffield United.

“We have been expecting it to come sooner so we know exactly how many points we have. But we need it as fast as possible.

“Thirty (points) would be fantastic because this is what the players have achieved on the pitch.”

Asked whether the sporting integrity of the competition is being compromised, he said: “I totally agree, it is a mess, they have had time enough.

“It’s a mess, it’s very difficult not only for us but for all the league, especially the clubs that involved in points deduction.

“It’s very difficult to deal with this.”

Forest could be in the bottom three by the time they visit Bramall Lane tomorrow as Luton host Everton tonight.

Nuno is hoping for some positive injury news, with Willy Boly, Neco Williams, Taiwo Awoniyi and Murillo all in contention.

Some would argue this is United’s toughest remaining test given that the Clarets will be fighting for their lives

Alexander Isak scores his first goal against Sheffield United last Saturday – the Swedish striker has become ‘indispensable’ to the Magpies; right, Nick Pope after suffering an injury in December – his absence has been as keenly felt as that of the often-referenced Joelinton, argues John Gibson