Nottingham Forest travel to Old Trafford on Saturday for an important Premier League encounter with Manchester United.
Man United vs Nottingham Forest predicted lineups
Man United (3-4-2-1): Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez; Amad, Casemiro, Mainoo, Dalot; Fernandes, Rashford; Zirkzee
Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1): Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Moreno; Anderson, Yates; Silva, Gibbs-White, Elanga; Wood
The match kicks off at 5:30pm and is set to be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.
Man United looking to make progress under Amorim
The Ruben Amorim era got off to a timid start for Man United, who drew 1-1 at Ipswich Town in the Portuguese’s first match at the helm.
Subsequent wins over Bodo/Glimt 3-2 in the Europa League and a 4-0 thrashing of Everton in the Premier League had increased Man United fans’ optimism. But Amorim’s men were brought back down to earth with a bump on Wednesday as they were beaten 2-0 at Arsenal.
The Gunners are a top side and there won’t be too many teams who come away from the Emirates this season with three points. But Nottingham Forest have lost only four top-flight games this season and it won’t be easy for Man United to get back on track at the first time of asking.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s men lost 3-0 at Manchester City in midweek, meanwhile, so they will be hoping to avoid another miserable trip to Manchester on Saturday.
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The Tricky Trees are the only side to have beaten Liverpool this season and have also taken points off Chelsea and Brighton, so Man United would be unwise to take Espirito Santo’s progressive and robust team lightly.
Forest have kept five clean sheets in their 14 league outings and their relative solidity may serve them well against a Man United outfit who could muster only two shots on target in their defeat to Arsenal.
Man United vs Nottingham Forest team news
There’s good news for Man United, who are able to welcome back Lisandro Martinez and Kobbie Mainoo from suspension.
Marcus Rashford, Amad Diallo and Leny Yoro had to settle for a place on the bench against Arsenal but all three are pushing for a starting berth against Forest.
Amorim hasn’t been shy to make changes during his short time in the Old Trafford dugout with Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia and Mason Mount all handed starts at the Emirates on Wednesday night.
Casemiro and Joshua Zirkzee will be among those hoping to be restored to the Red Devils’ starting line-up, but there will be no place for injured trio Jonny Evans, Luke Shaw and Victor Lindelof.
Alex Moreno and Anthony Elanga returned to the Nottingham Forest side against Manchester City in midweek and should retain their place in the Tricky Trees’ starting XI at Old Trafford.
Chris Wood is likely to continue up front for the visitors, but Forest also have Taiwo Awoniyi and Callum Hudson-Odoi as other potential options in forward areas.
Danilo and Ibrahim Sangare are the only players unavailable to boss Espirito Santo, meaning the Portuguese gaffer has the opportunity to tinker with his team as the hectic festive fixture list begins to ramp up.