Man Utd vs Nottingham Forest: Preview, predictions and lineups

Manchester United are aiming to bounce back from their first defeat of the Ruben Amorim era when they host Nottingham Forest on Saturday in the Premier League.

The Red Devils were undone by Arsenal’s impressive set-piece routines on Wednesday evening as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat in north London. After a draw and two victories in his first three outings as Man Utd manager, it was Amorim’s first loss since arriving in England.

Man Utd still find themselves in the bottom half of the table as they welcome surprise over-performers Forest to Old Trafford. They have won just five of their opening 14 Premier League matches, one of which came in a 4-0 thrashing of Everton last weekend.

Forest’s incredible early season form has fallen away in recent weeks. A difficult run of fixtures has proven a tad too much for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, with defeats to Newcastle United, Arsenal and Manchester City in three of their last four outings. The journey to Old Trafford will be far from straightforward, with Forest surrendering a two-goal lead in a 3-2 defeat in this fixture last term.

Here is 90min’s guide to Saturday’s late Premier League kick-off.

Man Utd vs Nottingham Forest H2H Record (Last Five Games)

Current form (all competitions)

Injuries are starting to ease up for Man Utd ahead of a crunch period for Amorim’s side. Leny Yoro made his first competitive appearance for the Red Devils against Arsenal from the bench, meaning it’s only Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw missing for the Manchester club this weekend.

Lisandro Martinez and Kobbie Mainoo missed the midweek defeat at the Emirates Stadium as they served one-game suspensions. Both had accumulated five yellow cards this season in the Premier League but will return to the lineup against Forest.

Amorim is still discovering his best starting XI and there is a chance he makes changes from Wednesday’s defeat. Marcus Rashford, Amad Diallo and Joshua Zirkzee could all come into the XI having only been used from the bench in the capital.

Man Utd predicted lineup vs Nottingham Forest (3-4-2-1): Onana; De Ligt, Maguire, Martinez; Diallo, Mainoo, Ugarte, Dalot; Fernandes, Rashford; Zirkzee.

Injuries have been kind to Forest for the most part this season, although they remain without two key central midfielders. Both Danilo and Ibrahim Sangare are still unavailable with long-term injuries, even if the former is back in training after breaking his ankle on the opening day of the season.

Espirito Santo is unlikely to make sweeping changes to the side that tasted defeat in Manchester on Wednesday evening at the hands of the reigning Premier League champions.

Anthony Elanga is in line to feature against the club he departed in 2023 and there are unlikely to be alterations to the regular back four that has been so watertight for Forest this term.

Nottingham Forest predicted lineup vs Man Utd (4-2-3-1): Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Moreno; Yates, Dominguez; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Anderson; Wood.

It’s still difficult to predict what we will see from Man Utd, who haven’t entirely convinced under the Amorim as of yet. Patience is required for the Old Trafford faithful, although the 4-0 win over Everton last weekend will have raised spirits.

Even a month ago this fixture would have had a drastically different feel. However, Forest find themselves in a difficult patch after a string of defeats to strong opposition, with their previously rigid defence having been leakier in recent outings.

It may not be convincing from either side but individual quality and the support of a home crowd could see Man Utd edge this one.

Prediction: Man Utd 2-1 Nottingham Forest

READ THE LATEST PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS, RUMOURS & GOSSIP