Seeking to pick themselves up from a disappointing Premier League defeat last weekend, Manchester United play host to Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.
The visitors, meanwhile, are looking to claim their first top-flight away win since January and end their 29-year wait for a victory over the Red Devils.
Team News
Manchester United
- Following the announcement on Monday that Mason Greenwood will be leaving Man United, reports emerged on Wednesday that Mason Mount is facing up to six weeks out after pulling his hamstring in the defeat at Spurs. The midfielder is set to join Tyrell Malacia (muscle), Tom Heaton (calf), Amad Diallo (knee) and Kobbie Mainoo (ankle) in the treatment room.
- However, the Red Devils could have big-money signing Rasmus Hojlund available to make his debut. The striker has trained and is closing in on a return to full fitness after arriving from Atalanta BC with a back problem. Harry Maguire could return to the matchday squad after missing the loss at Spurs due to an ankle issue.
- The absence of Mount is set to see either Christian Eriksen or Scott McTominay start in centre-midfield alongside Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes. Meanwhile, Ten Hag will ponder whether to stick with Antony and Alejandro Garnacho on the flanks or hand Jason Sancho a start.
Nottingham Forest
- Felipe is in the “final phases” of recovering from a knee injury. However, Saturday’s game will come too soon for the defender, who remains on the sidelines with Giulian Biancone, Wayne Hennessey (both knee) and Omar Richards (leg fracture). Ola Aina, meanwhile, is doubtful with a groin issue that kept him out of the win over Sheffield United.
- Serge Aurier provided two assists from right wing-back against the Blades and will hope to keep his place in the first XI this weekend, but the Ivorian faces competition from new signing Gonzalo Montiel who completed his loan move from Sevilla on Wednesday.
- Awonyi and Tottenham Hotspur-linked Brennan Johnson have been dealing with minor fitness issues. Although the attacking pair are unlikely to play the full 90 minutes, Cooper is expected to name both players in his starting lineup, with either Morgan Gibbs-White or former Man United man Anthony Elanga set to complete the attacking triumvirate.
Possible Lineup
Manchester United: Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Fernandes, Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, Rashford, Sancho
Nottingham Forest: Turner; Boly, Worrall, McKenna; Aurier, Danilo, Yates, Williams; Johnson, Gibbs-White; Awoniyi
Prediction Analysis
Considering that Man United are yet to get up to full speed in the new season, Ten Hag and co cannot take Nottingham Forest lightly on Saturday despite their impressive head-to-head record.
Nevertheless, the Red Devils should have enough quality in their side to bounce back from last weekend’s defeat and secure maximum points against a Forest side who have struggled to grind out positive results on the road over the last 12 months.
Our prediction is Manchester United 3-1 Nottingham Forest