Manchester United-Nottingham Forest is a match valid for the 17th day of the Premier League and is played on Tuesday at 21:00: predictions.
Manchester United’s first outing without Ronaldo ended in an unblemished success against Burnley in the League Cup. Eriksen and Rashford, two veterans from Qatar 2022, scored the goals (2-0) that sent the current leaders of the cadet league home and allowed Erik ten Hag to get off on the right foot after the double defeat in friendlies against Spanish sides Cadiz and Betis.
For the Dutch coach, it was crucial to get off to a strong start, not least to get rid of the dross from the CR7 soap opera, which to some extent affected the Red Devils’ performance in the first half of the season. That, however, had ended with two victories between Premier League and League Cup obtained against Aston Villa and Fulham. Manchester United, in spite of a fluctuating path and a couple of defeats too many, have not lost in the league since last October, are only three points behind the fourth place – the season’s goal – and also have one match less than Antonio Conte’s Tottenham, who will take the field 24 hours earlier in this round. However, the former Ajax coach is grappling with some not inconsiderable formation problems, especially in defence. Portugal’s Dalot has returned injured from Qatar, Harry Maguire is not at his best and the two World Cup finalists, Argentina’s Lisandro Martinez and France’s Varane, are still ‘on holiday’.
The first of three close games is against Nottingham Forest, another team that, like United, has already played an official match, overwhelming Blackburn 4-1 in the League Cup round of 16. A match that provided good indications to Steve Cooper, who in spite of a very complicated start that presaged the worst is still in the race for salvation. The Garibaldi Reds are indeed third-last, but they have just one point less than the small group formed by Everton, West Ham and Leeds. And the feeling is that with a few adjustments in the market they can avoid relegation.
Brennan Johnson of Nottingham Forest
The Prediction
Manchester United are on a winning streak and have won all five of their last matches in front of their home crowd. The Red Devils are favourites against Nottingham Forest in a match that should not hold any major surprises. Ten Hag’s side, however, may struggle to keep their goals unbroken given the many absences in defence.
Manchester United v Nottingham Forest matchday squad
- MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford; Martial.
- NOTTINGHAM FOREST (4-3-3): Hennessey; Williams, Worrall, Boly, Toffolo; Yates, Mangala, Colback; Johnson, Awoniyi, Lingard.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 3-1
