Manchester United will target returning to winning ways when they host Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford on Saturday evening.
The Red Devils lost their last league outing last weekend to Tottenham Hotspur. Defender Lisandro Martinez netted in his own net as they lost 2-0 loss at the Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium.
They currently sit 13th on the log and head into Saturday’s game three points below the leading park (Brighton and Hove Albion, Manchester City and Arsenal).
They face a stubborn Forest side that has the same points as them after having beaten Sheffield United last weekend.
United’s league form at home since Erik Ten Hag was appointed last summer has been superb as they are unbeaten in the last 18 games at Old Trafford. It’s their form on the road that has been lacking. They have only eight victories in 19 games.
They will be hoping for a usual outcome on Saturday at Old Trafford.
For Forrest, they are seeking to claim only their second win over United in their history, with their sole victory having come at Old Trafford, a 2-1 victory in December 1994.
Team News
Luke Shaw and Mason Mount will be sidelined for a number of weeks with injuries they suffered this week.
While new signing Rasmus Hojlund could be included in a Manchester United team for the first time.
Tyrell Malacia (muscle), Tom Heaton (calf), Amad Diallo (knee) and Kobbie Mainoo (ankle) are long-term absentees.
For Forest, there will be without Felipe, Giulian Biancone, Wayne Hennessey (all knee) and Omar Richards (leg fracture).
New signing Gonzalo Montiel who completed his loan move from Sevilla on Wednesday is expected to make his debut.
Key Stats
The last 10 meetings between Manchester United and Nottingham Forest have all ended in the Red Devils victory, including all four meetings last season.
Forest last victory against United came in 1994 when Stan Collymore and Stuart Pearce netted the two goals to win 2-1 at Old Trafford.
Manchester United have won seven successive home Premier League matches, their best run since they won eight in a row between May and November 2017.
Erik ten Hag’s side have gone 30 games without defeat at Old Trafford, winning 26 and drawing four.
Only Bournemouth (43) have faced more shots than Manchester United (40) in top-flight matches this campaign.
Marcus Rashford has found the net only five times in his past 20 games for United and he’s yet to score this season.
Anthony Martial could make his 300th appearance for United in all competitions.
Nottingham Forest have won four of their past eight Premier League games (D2, L2), one more than they managed in their previous 17 top-flight matches.
Forest are seeking consecutive league wins for the first time since January, when they beat Southampton and Leicester.
The Tricky Trees have found the net in each of their past nine top-flight fixtures, scoring 17 goals.
Steve Cooper’s side have recorded just one victory in 20 Premier League away games, drawing five and losing 14.
What was said by the managers.
On Saturday’s opponents, Forest head coach Steve Cooper said “Manchester United have played some good football, and they are full of world class players. They only need a moment or two to define a game, but we’re very much focussing on ourselves at the moment.”
Despite his team being affected by injuries, Ten Hag said that he has solutions to that.
“Definitely we have solutions in our squad to cope with that. We thought before the season about this scenario, what could happen. You hope to avoid this scenario, that’s also clear, but if it happens, you have to be ready for it. And we are ready to deal with it” Ten Hag said while addressing the media.
Predicted lineups
Manchester United: Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Dalot; Fernandes, Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, Rashford, Sancho
Nottingham Forest:Turner; Boly, Worrall, McKenna; Aurier, Danilo, Yates, Williams; Johnson, Gibbs-White; Awoniyi
