Indeed, no one ever imagined it and maybe even Nottm Forest, the players, the coach, and the fans might not have thought that they could improve their performance this time in the EPL. Although I don't know whether at the end of the season they will really finish in a qualified position for the UCL or not, but we all have noticed about this small club becoming incredible in almost the whole season.
Actually, Nottm Forest's efforts to improve their club's performance have been quite a lot. They even spent €105.50m to buy players.
And actually, the increase in their players' performance is also very significant. One of them is Chris Wood, their CF who has produced 18 goals in the EPL. This is a hidden gem, unfortunately it is over now in 33 years.
Their likely success in this season, actually they need to finish it well, is like Leicester City many years ago with Premier League title. They spent €105.50M for purchasing players and perhaps it is bigger than what Leicester City spent in a summer transfer season before they won that title. Their similarities is in their squads, there are no big names, big star players and their team worked unitedly with each other and like a powerful tank towards the finish line.
Nottingham Forest can not win Premier League title like Leicester City but they are a very interesting underdog in this season. They make Premier League more exciting with a fresh name in top four but a next season will be very challenging for them to maintain good performances like this season.
Maybe their current target in the EPL is just not relegated. They are trying to keep getting points without big targets. Then they focus on the Europa League. Maybe realistically the Europa League still has many different opportunities than the EPL. After this season ends, maybe Amorim will make a lot of big changes. Amorim may take advantage of the transfer market to add strength next season. It looks like they will suffer the same fate as Arsenal or Chelsea are in the bottom of the table. Against Nothingham is realistically maybe 1 point to take home.
I don't think any possibility that Manchester United will be relegated but in Premier League, they have nearly zero chance of finishing in top six or top five and top four is very impossible. In other words Manchester United almost don't have any target to fight in Premier League for remaining matches. Play well or bad, they will end this season for nothing and if they want to participate in Europe next season as a representative club from Premier League, they must win UEFA Europa League title in this season.