As Manchester United prepare to host Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford, both teams aim to bounce back from midweek setbacks in the Premier League. For Ruben Amorim, it’s a chance to steady the ship following his first defeat as United manager. Meanwhile, Forest are eager to regain momentum after a heavy loss to Manchester City.
Mixed Fortunes for Amorim’s Manchester United
Ruben Amorim’s reign at Manchester United began with optimism, but a 2-0 defeat at Arsenal on Wednesday served as his first major setback. The result leaves United sitting 11th in the table, though the tight nature of this Premier League season means they are just four points off the top five.
Photo: IMAGO
The Arsenal game exposed some vulnerabilities, particularly from set-pieces, as United conceded twice in such situations. Amorim admitted post-match that “small margins” made the difference, yet he remains confident in his team’s trajectory.
Amorim is expected to rotate his squad to manage the congested fixture list. Marcus Rashford, Amad Diallo, and Leny Yoro, who were rested midweek, are likely to return to the starting XI. Lisandro Martínez and Kobbie Mainoo could also feature following suspensions. However, injuries to Jonny Evans, Luke Shaw, and Victor Lindelöf remain concerns for the Red Devils.
Forest’s Stuttering Form
Nottingham Forest started the season brightly, but recent results have highlighted inconsistencies. Their 3-0 loss to Manchester City on Wednesday underscored the challenge of competing against top-tier sides. Manager Nuno Espírito Santo acknowledged the difficulty of the fixture but emphasised the importance of quick recovery.
Photo: IMAGO
Forest will travel to Old Trafford without key midfielders Ibrahim Sangaré and Danilo, both sidelined through injury. This adds to the challenge of facing a Manchester United side eager to redeem themselves in front of their home crowd.
“We’re still assessing, it was just a couple of hours ago, so still assessing the players,” said Nuno after the City defeat. His team must dig deep to produce a performance capable of troubling United.
What to Expect on Match Day
The match is scheduled for a 5:30 pm GMT kick-off on Saturday, 7 December 2024, at Old Trafford. Fans can catch the action live on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, and Sky Sports Ultra HDR. Subscribers can also stream the game via the Sky Go app or website.
Given both teams’ recent form, this encounter feels pivotal. For United, the focus will be on exploiting Forest’s injury-hit midfield and regaining control in defence, especially from set-pieces. Forest, on the other hand, will aim to frustrate United by maintaining a compact structure and looking to counterattack effectively.
Prediction: United to Edge It
Despite their inconsistent start, Manchester United have shown flashes of promise under Amorim. Against Arsenal, there were moments of solidity before being undone by specific situations. Nottingham Forest, while dangerous, may struggle to overcome their current injury issues and recent dip in form.
A home win seems the likeliest outcome, with a predicted scoreline of 2-1 to Manchester United.
Head-to-Head Record
The historical rivalry between these clubs tilts in Manchester United’s favour. Of their previous meetings:
Manchester United wins: 54
Draws: 24
Nottingham Forest wins: 34
With the stakes high and both teams needing a response, Saturday’s clash promises to deliver drama in abundance.