Manchester United will want a third Premier League win in a row as they travel to Nottingham Forest. The away side will want to win and well but know just a point would take them third. Newcastle United suffered a heavy defeat away to Aston Villa on Saturday and with the Magpies playing Spurs next week, United can make strides in securing Top Four with a win at the City Ground.

Nottingham Forest are winless in 9 and sit 18th. However, a win could see them surge as high as 16th and level on points with West Ham with the expectation the Hammers lose to Arsenal beforehand.

Manchester United will also be desperate to build momentum ahead of a big week in the cups as they must win both on Thursday and Sunday if they are to continue their hunt for silverware. Sevilla held them to a 2-2 draw in a ridiculous affair at Old Trafford and must get the job done in Spain. Then they travel to Wembley to play a white-hot Brighton side in the FA Cup Semi-Final.

The expectation is to win all three of these games and they must start away to Nottingham Forest tomorrow. Here’s all you need to know:

Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United Match Information:

Teams: Nottingham Forest and Manchester United
Date: Sunday 16th April 2023
KO Time: 16:30 BST
Location: The City Ground
Managers: Steve Cooper and Erik ten Hag
Referee: Simon Hooper

Manchester United Team News vs Nottingham Forest

This will make painful viewings for Manchester United fans. Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane have sustained injuries that will see them miss the rest of the season through injury. Varane came off at half time against Sevilla while Martinez’s injury in the 80th minute saw United become reduced to 10 men. Marcus Rashford, Scott McTominay and Luke Shaw all missed the home tie against Sevilla but are all expected to be available for next Thursday. Rashford won’t be available for Sunday but McTominay and Shaw are likely to be in contention. Garnacho remains out along with Donny van de Beek.

Interesting Facts:

• Manchester United have already beaten Nottingham Forest THREE times already this season and have not conceded against them so far.
• Manchester United need just two wins to overtake their points total from last season.
• Harry Maguire is set to start back to back Premier League games for the first time since the opening two matches this season. He has not lost in a Manchester United shirt since 8th September against Real Sociedad (P24 (Strtd10) W21 D2).

Predicted XI:

I expect of course for United to make certain changes but cannot affort to take Nottingham Forest as a guaranteed win. I can see Wan-Bissaka starting this game as the pace of Dennis and Johnson can be devastating. Maguire will start along with Lindelof and Malacia should get a chance for redemption to allow Shaw to ease his way back in.

Casemiro will start his first league game for over a month and I think Fernandes will partner him deeper in order to establish control. I think Fred should start over Sabitzer to encourage the press going forward and can always alternate with Bruno if we need more defensive support.

Sancho really struggled to assert any kind of dominance against Sevilla and will probably have another chance tomorrow. Antony impressed in possession and so I can see him starting as well as Martial who is being eased back into the swing of things.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Malacia; Casemiro, Fernandes; Antony, Fred, Sancho; Martial

Predicted Score:

Forest haven’t won for sucha long time but they’ll start strong. Manchester United do tend to be sluggish early doors away from home and Forest will have the whole City Ground behind them. The away side have to be smart, calm and cut out any early exhuberance as soon as possible. United should not be phased by the late drama against Sevilla. They were totally in control for 80 minutes then two mistakes and an injury left them scrambling for the draw at the end. As long as they maintain the same amount of control and keep everyone fit and on the pitch, this shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

United to win 0-2