Our predicted Manchester United starting XI for Saturday evening’s Premier League clash at home to Nottingham Forest.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have enjoyed an unprecedented start to the campaign since 2024/2025 got underway, which has had them drifting in and out of the European places each week.
Forest remain the only side to have defeated league leaders Liverpool in the opening 14 matches – remarkably doing so at Anfield in just the fourth game of the term. They currently sit seventh-placed heading into the fixture after a string of lacklustre results, having conceded three goals in three of their last four games.
The East Midlands outfit’s most recent win was a narrow 1-0 victory at home to Ipswich Town. On Wednesday, they handed Manchester City their first three points after a seven-game winless streak when losing 3-0 at the Etihad.
United team news for Forest visit
Maguire and Martinez make out predicted Man United lineup.
(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Nonetheless, Ruben Amorim will be adamant about getting United back to winning ways at the earliest opportunity following a midweek upset against Arsenal.
In terms of the options he can expect to have at his disposal, the Portuguese tactician confirmed this afternoon that while Victor Lindelof had resumed training with the squad, tomorrow’s contest comes too soon for him to feature.Luke Shaw, of course, is sidelined for the coming weeks.
Amorim has been granted boosts in the form of Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez being available for selection after serving their yellow card suspensions.
The Old Trafford faithful should expect changes from what was deployed against the Gunners as after the full-time whistle blew in North London, the head coach told reporters: “At this moment, it is impossible to play with the same team.
“They [the players] have to feel they are part of the team, but we are changing the methodology. We are changing a lot of things.”
Predicted lineup
Onana;
Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez;
Leny Yoro oversaw a stellar display in his maiden outing at the Emirates – despite making only a half-hour cameo off the bench. However, Amorim has already assured that he’ll be managing the teenager’s minutes, so it’s improbable he’ll be given the nod so soon.
Amad, Ugarte, Mainoo, Dalot;
Amad Diallo simply has to start most matches. He is undoubtedly United’s most dangerous and creative player in attack and can run defences absolutely ragged.
Fernandes, Rashford;
Marcus Rashford is likely to return after being dropped on Wednesday night.
Zirkzee.
Rasmus Hojlund struggled considerably to make his mark midweek – at times, you’d be forgiven for forgetting he was on the pitch. Joshua Zirkzee scored two goals in his last start and is deserving of a chance to build on that.
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