Manchester United will be aiming to keep their recent momentum alive and move closer to the Premier League’s top four when they visit the City Ground to face Sean Dyche’s Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon. The Red Devils are determined to make amends after being beaten twice by Forest last season, including a narrow 1-0 defeat on this same ground back in April.
Nottingham Forest began their new era under Sean Dyche with a morale-boosting 2-0 win against Porto in the Europa League, ending a miserable 39-day spell under Ange Postecoglou. However, their return to Premier League action did not go as planned, as they struggled against a vibrant Bournemouth side and fell to a 2-0 defeat at the Vitality Stadium. That loss kept Forest in the relegation zone, three points behind Fulham in 17th place.
Forest’s form has been worrying, with six defeats in their last seven league matches, including four consecutive losses without scoring. Another defeat on Saturday would mark their fifth straight Premier League loss, something they have not experienced since October 2022. In fact, the last time Forest went five league matches without finding the net was back in January 2004.
Sean Dyche’s teams have long been associated with defensive discipline rather than attacking flair, and his Premier League record shows it. Across his 334 matches in the competition, his sides have scored only 323 goals, averaging less than one per game. Nevertheless, Forest have enjoyed recent success against Manchester United, winning the last three league meetings between the two sides and scoring six goals in the process. They have not recorded four straight league victories over the Red Devils since the early 1900s.
For Manchester United, things are beginning to click under Ruben Amorim after a shaky start to the season. Since the end of August, only Arsenal have collected more points in the league, and United have been the most prolific scorers during that period with 14 goals. Amorim’s position came under serious scrutiny after a 3-1 defeat to Brentford in September, but his team have since turned things around impressively, winning three consecutive league matches for the first time since February 2024.
Those wins came against Sunderland, Liverpool, and Brighton, the latter being a thrilling 4-2 victory at Old Trafford where Matheus Cunha scored his first goal for the club and Bryan Mbeumo bagged a brace. United’s October form was flawless, as they joined Arsenal and Aston Villa as the only sides to win all their matches during the month. Currently sitting sixth in the table, another win this weekend could see them rise as high as second, depending on other results.
Despite their strong home form, Manchester United have not been as convincing away from Old Trafford, securing just four points from a possible twelve on the road this season. Their most recent away victory came in an impressive win at Anfield, but their record at the City Ground is less encouraging. They have lost their last two league visits to Nottingham Forest and have not suffered three consecutive away defeats there since the 1960s.
Manchester United will be eager to rewrite that history on Saturday as they continue their climb up the Premier League table, while Forest desperately seek goals and points to steer themselves away from the drop zone.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
Nottingham Forest remain without several key players heading into their clash with Manchester United. Last season’s top scorer Chris Wood is still recovering from a knee injury, while new signing Oleksandr Zinchenko is sidelined with a groin problem. Ola Aina, Dilane Bakwa, and Angus Gunn are also unavailable due to various injuries, adding to Sean Dyche’s selection concerns.
Summer arrival James McAtee was left out of the squad for the defeat against Bournemouth, but his omission was tactical rather than injury-related. It is uncertain whether Dyche will recall the former Manchester City midfielder for the meeting with United.
In attack, the absence of Chris Wood could mean that Igor Jesus retains his place as the central striker. Captain Ryan Yates, who has featured just once in the Premier League starting lineup this season, may once again have to settle for a spot on the bench. Dyche is expected to keep faith with Elliot Anderson and Douglas Luiz in central midfield, both of whom have been linked with consistent performances in recent weeks.
Manchester United also have a few fitness concerns to manage. Ruben Amorim is hopeful that Harry Maguire will be fit to return after missing the Brighton game with a minor issue. Lisandro Martinez has returned to training but is not yet ready for competitive action following his knee injury. If Maguire is passed fit, he is likely to slot back into the defence alongside Matthijs de Ligt and Luke Shaw, with Leny Yoro the one expected to drop out.
Amorim is expected to keep Amad Diallo and Diogo Dalot as his wing-backs, with Patrick Dorgu offering backup from the bench. In attack, Matheus Cunha is in fine form and has a remarkable record against struggling teams, having been directly involved in seven goals in his last four games against sides starting the day in the relegation zone. He is likely to lead the line once again, supported by Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:
Sels; Savona, Murillo, Milenkovic, Williams; Anderson, Luiz; Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Jesus
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
Lammens; De Ligt, Maguire, Shaw; Amad, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dalot; Mbeumo, Cunha; Sesko
EXPERT PREDICTION
Nottingham Forest 1-3 Manchester United
