Manchester United FC vs Nottingham Forest FC, English Premier League 2024-25, Today Match Prediction

Manchester United FC vs Nottingham Forest FC Match Prediction & Analysis

Halcyon days for Ruben Amorim finally came to an end as he endured his first defeat in English football against a well-drilled Arsenal squad. The Gunners had more chances to double and triple their lead had it not been for some decent United defending. It was difficult for United to adapt to a team that is chasing Liverpool down for the title. Arsenal were clever with their set-pieces, twice scoring from a corner. The Portuguese’s three match unbeaten run finally culminated on the red side of North London. 

The Red Devils dispatched Everton with ease on Sunday, but this was a different calibre team that they were facing. Amorim’s identity has been flourishing especially with a three-man defence. Despite that he prowled along the touchline, giving out orders whenever there were lapses in concentration. Funnily, right before the game commenced, Man United were seen defending corners. But to no avail evidently. The Red Devils are still in a rebuilding phase and will be content with the scoreline being such. 

The nerves would’ve gotten to Man City and maybe Forest would have escaped Manchester with something in hand. Instead Forest now shift their focus on exploiting Man United’s frailties. We’re experiencing a point when teams like Forest are mustering confidence against Manchester based clubs. Never did this happen before. The famous City ground has produced some remarkable games. Nuno’s men are very capable of causing major damage to the Red Devils just as they did at Anfield against the Reds. 

Head to Head Record - Both teams have played 85 games. Manchester United have won 43, while Forest have won 25. 17 of those games have ended in a draw. 

Current Standings -  Ruben’s Army are 11th on the table with 19 points. Nuno’s men are 6th with 22 points to show for. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Manchester United FC Preview

Manchester United have scored in all 14 of their Premier League games against Nottingham Forest, their joint-best 100% scoring record against an opponent in the competition along with Swansea City. Manchester United have won 3-0 against Leicester and 4-0 against Everton in their last two Premier League home games. The partnership of Ruud Van Nistelrooy along with Ruben Amorim has helped inject life and goals immensely. Manchester United have won their last four home matches in all competitions, scoring at least twice in each match (12 goals). Ruben Amorim has won both of his home games in charge so far – only five managers have won their first three at home with the Red Devils, most recently Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2018-19.

Player to watch out for

Marcus Rashford scored twice in Man Utd’s 4-0 win against Everton in their last home league game, as many goals as he’d netted in his previous 23 appearances at Old Trafford. His second strike against the Toffees was his 50th home goal in the Premier League. 

In all competitions, Bruno Fernandes has been involved in 11 goals in his last 10 appearances at Old Trafford for Man Utd (4 goals, 7 assists), having a hand in six goals in his last four in the Premier League (2 goals, 4 assists). He’s never scored or assisted in five in a row in the league at Old Trafford, while Marcus Rashford was the last Man Utd player to do so overall (seven in 2022-23). 

Injury - Evans, Shaw and Lindelof are all out injured. 

Man Utd Probable Starting Lineup - Onana (GK), Mazraoui, Maguire, de Ligt (DEF), Dalot, Malacia, Garnacho, Fernandes, Ugarte (MID), Rashford (FWD)

Nottingham Forest FC Preview

In the midweek fixture, Forest took on the blue side of Manchester. Now, it’s time to take on the red side. Nuno’s men failed to capitalise on City’s poor form and instead conceded three goals at the Etihad. If Chris Wood had converted the opportunity handed to him by Kevin De Bruyne things would have been very different. 

Nuno Espírito Santo is bidding to become just the second Nottingham Forest manager to win both of his first two league games against Manchester United. Nottingham Forest’s last two Premier League away games have been 3-0 defeats (vs Arsenal and Man City), having won five of seven on the road before this (D2). 

Nuno’s side will want to teach this United cohort a thing or two about flirting with a defensive back 3. The Reds were unfortunate to lose by the same scoreline against Arsenal and Man City, but they did inflict a harsh wound on current leaders at Anfield. The pace of Elanga and Hudson-Odoi, coupled with Wood’s finishing prowess, is much of a threat for the Red Devil’s backline to deal with.

Injury - Danilo and Sangare are both ruled out. 

Nottingham Forest Probable Starting Lineup- Sels (GK), Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Moreno (DEF), Yates, Dominguez, Elanga, Silva, Gibbs-White (MID), Wood (FWD).

MANCHESTER UNITED FC vs NOTTINGHAM FOREST FC
Winning Prediction

This game is going to be interesting from the start because of how both managers field their teams. Nuno and Amorim, both Portuguese born and bred, field a defensive 3. They love their wingers wide and play high intensity counter attacking football. Forest have now been accustomed to this system for a while under Nuno. But, United are still learning the trick of the trade. Chris Wood needs to get firing again. The anticipation for this one is huge. One team will teach us how a back 3 really works while the other will rue chances. 

Man United to Win (2-1)

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