Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest: Predicted Lineup, injury news, head-to-head

The Premier League is back after the end of the FIFA World Cup 2022

The Red Devils recorded a 2-1 victory over Fulham in their last league match on November 13, while Forest were also winners before the campaign was halted for the World Cup, beating Crystal Palace 1-0 at home. Man United was back in competitive action on Wednesday evening, recording a 2-0 victory over Championship leaders Burnley at Old Trafford to progress to the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup. Man United have only lost once in the Premier League since the start of October, and there have certainly been plenty of positive signs this season under the management of Erik ten Hag.

The Red Devils will be taking on Forest for the first time since their 8-1 victory over them during the 1998-99 Premier League campaign, while the Reds have not beaten Man United since December 1994. Forest was also in EFL Cup action last week, progressing to the quarter-finals of the competition courtesy of a 4-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park. Forest has the worst away record in the Premier League this season, picking up just two points from seven matches, conceding 19 times and scoring only once, which is an indication of the size of their task heading into Tuesday's game with Ten Hag's team.

Kick-off: 1:30 am(IST),8 pm (GMT)

Manchester United form(all competition): L-W-W-L-L-W

Nottingham Forest form(all competitions): W-L-L-L-W-W

Players to Watch

Marcus Rashford - Man United

His pace, both when running at defenders with the ball and making runs beyond his opponent without it, means he is a threat wherever he plays. He is skilled at cutting infield and shooting, although he could improve his accuracy. He does have the technique to strike the ball with no little power, however. There are few who could genuinely compete with him in a race. Rashford has the talents to contribute to the team's attacks against sides that like to sit deep but also on the counter, where his ability to carry the ball at pace makes him particularly valuable. 

Morgan Gibbs White - Nottingham Forest

The 22-year-old can play multiple roles in midfield or he can play as a wide forward. Predominantly he is seen as an attacking midfielder, he is well suited to playing the box-to-box role, which will see him initially playing slightly deeper than his natural position. This role compliments Gibbs-White as he is a pacey and high-energy player, so he can cover lots of ground in a short space of time. He is slowly growing as a player and will surely be an asset to his team.

Match Facts

Nottingham Forest has lost four of their five Premier League away games against Manchester United, with the exception being a 2-1 win in December 1994. That victory accounted for 50% of the total goals United conceded at Old Trafford in the league that season.

Manchester United have scored more goals from fast breaks than any other side in the Premier League this season (five). These goals account for 25% of their total so far this term (5/20), also a league-high.

Injury and team news

Man United will again definitely be without the services of Axel Tuanzebe through injury, while Diogo Dalot remains a major doubt with the issue that he picked up in Portugal's World Cup quarter-final with Morocco. The Red Devils have problems in the middle of their defence, with Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane both in major doubts following their involvement in the World Cup final, while Harry Maguire is unwell. Jadon Sancho, though, remains a major doubt, as he continues to undergo a personal fitness programme.

As for Forest, Omar Richards, Giulian Biancone, Cheikhou Kouyate and Moussa Niakhate will definitely be unavailable for selection at Old Trafford due to injury problems. Jesse Lingard is likely to be in the XI against his former club, while Brennan Johnson and Taiwo Awoniyi could both start if Gibbs-White is unable to prove his fitness ahead of kickoff at Old Trafford.

Head-to-head stats

Matches: 105

Manchester United: 48

Draws: 24

Nottingham Forest: 33

Predicted Lineup

Manchester United Predicted lineup(4-2-3-1):

De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, Fernandes, Rashford; Martial. 

Nottingham Forest Predicted Lineup(4-3-3):

Hennessey; Williams, Worrall, Boly, Lodi; Yates, Kouyate, Freuler; Johnson, Awoniyi, Lingard.

Prediction

Man United are likely to be missing three of their first-choice back four, which will certainly hand Forest confidence, but Ten Hag will still be able to select a high-quality side, and we are expecting the Red Devils to put an important three points on the board at Old Trafford.

Prediction: Manchester United (2-0) Nottingham Forest