Manchester United return to Premier League action following their controlled 2-0 win over Burnley in the cup. They now play 18th placed Nottingham Forest in an attempt to push for top four with Spurs losing ground in their 2-2 draw today. United are in good spirits and have a lot of reasons to be confident going in. Especially with Dean Henderson unable to play against his parent club. Forest have come back with an emphatic 4-1 win over Blackburn with Awoniyi, Lingard and a Johnson brace securing progression to the next round of the Carabao Cup. Here’s all you need to know:

Match Information:

Teams: Manchester United and Nottingham Forest
Date: Tuesday 27th December 2022
KO Time: 20:00 GMT
Stadium: Old Trafford
Managers: Erik ten Hag and Steve Cooper
Referee: Anthony Taylor

Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest Team News:

Manchester United

United will be without World Cup winners, Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane as they are yet to return to training. Diogo Dalot and Axel Tuanzebe remain unavailable due to injury while Jadon Sancho is continuing his individual training alone. Harry Maguire has recovered from his illness and is ready to play.

Nottingham Forest

Dean Henderson is cup-tied while Morgan Gibbs-White and Wayne Hennessey could need last-minute fitness checks to feature. Niakate, Kouyate, Biancone and Omar Richards are all out injured. Serge Aurier is also a doubt.

Interesting Facts:

• Manchester United last played against Nottingham Forest in the 1998/99 treble season, winning 8-1. They have not lost to Forest since 1994.
• Jesse Lingard returns to his former club. He has not scored at Old Trafford since a 4-1 win over Newcastle in 2021.
• Forest have only lost once in their last 5, including a 1-0 win over Liverpool but have not won away from home this season. They have picked up two points, scored one and conceded 19 times.

Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest Predicted Lineup:

Manchester United started strong against Burnley so I don’t expect many changes. One will be United’s number one as David de Gea will expect to return to the starting XI. Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw should return and complete former manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s preferred back four in Wan Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire and Shaw.

Casemiro should come back inton midfield after volunteered for a night at centre back. Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes will provide creativity while the dynamism of Rashford, Antony and Martial up front will be crucial in United’s success tomorrow.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, Fernandes, Rashford; Martial

Predicted Score:

United have everything to smash Nottingham Forest but have to be wary of the counter. Lingard may have faltered at United but he’s a threat and so are Johnson and Awoniyi. United have to be composed and not switch off. It could be a very merry christmas for United if they can secure the three points before a tricky trip to Wolves on New Year’s Eve.

United to win 3-0