On Tuesday evening, Nottingham Forest welcome Manchester United to the City Ground for a Premier League clash that few would have predicted would United would have been underdogs in at the start of the season.
We’ve seen a remarkable role reversal this campaign, with Forest sitting third in the table and challenging for Champions League football and the FA Cup, while United languish in 13th place – an incredible 17 points behind their opponents.
Given the ten places separating these sides in the table, United face a tough task at the City Ground, where Forest are unbeaten in their last eight Premier League games.
Manchester United Team News
Manchester United have received a boost with several players returning to training, including defenders Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro, who are now available for selection.
However, the Reds remain without several key players including Lisandro Martinez, Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo, Ayden Heaven, Jonny Evans, and Luke Shaw, who still isn’t ready to return despite making progress in training.
Manager Ruben Amorim has big decisions to make all across the pitch, with Joshua Zirkzee potentially returning to the starting lineup alongside Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund, who both ended their goal droughts in the 3-0 win against Leicester City before the international break.
Nottingham Forest Team News
Nottingham Forest enter this match with concerns over two key players.
Top scorer Chris Wood is a major doubt with a hip injury sustained on international duty with New Zealand, which kept him out of Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final win over Brighton.
Morgan Gibbs-White will need to be assessed after suffering a nasty collision with the goalpost during that match, with the creative midfielder withdrawn just before the penalty shootout.
If Wood isn’t ready, former United forward Anthony Elanga could lead the line, with Jota Silva potentially coming into the wide areas. Expect Callum Hudson-Odoi to feature down the left, while towering center-back Nikola Milenkovic will anchor the defense.
Amorim’s European headache
Our League form has been disastrous this season, but there are signs of recent improvement under Amorim. Incredibly, we’re looking to win consecutive Premier League matches for the first time this campaign after their 3-0 success at Leicester City.
While our league position rules out European qualification, the Europa League offers a vital lifeline back to the bright lights of the Champions League. United thumped Real Sociedad 4-1 in their last-16 second leg and now face Lyon in the quarter-finals.
It will be interesting to see how Ruben balances priorities and players between ‘dead rubber’ league games and the crucial Europa League competition.
Predicted Lineup
Onana;
De Ligt, Maguire, Mazraoui;
Dalot, Ugarte, Fernandes, Dorgu;
Zirkzee, Hojlund, Garnacho.
Form Guide
Nottingham Forest form (all competitions): DWWWW
Nottingham Forest form (Premier League): LLDWW
Manchester United form (all competitions): LDDWW
Manchester United form (Premier League): LDWDW
Prediction
Forest’s impressive home record and United’s inconsistency throughout the season make this a tough prospect. While we showed signs of improvement against Leicester, Forest’s confidence will be sky-high after their recent FA Cup success.
The hosts will be determined to complete their first league double over United since the 1991-92 season when Brian Clough was in charge. However, United’s extended rest and returning players could make this closer than the table suggests.
I expect a tight, competitive affair, but fancy United to edge it with our returning players and slight uptick in form in recent weeks.
Nottingham Forest 1-2 Manchester United