Manchester United entertain Nottingham Forest this afternoon (Saturday) as they look to get back to winning ways after the midweek defeat at Arsenal.
Ruben Amorim’s unbeaten start come to a head at the Emirates and he now faces a tricky run of games starting with the surprise package of this season so far at Old Trafford.
United’s new head coach named a few surprises to his XI on Wednesday and is expected to ring the changes once more against Forest.
However, the 3-4-3 formation is here to stay and the players will have another chance to show they are getting used to the system the evening Premier League’s evening kick-off.
Both sides will have to adapt to the adverse weather conditions in Manchester which could play a part in the outcome.
Forest will look to get from back-to-front quickly with in-form striker Chris Wood providing a physical threat as well as an eye-for-goal this season.
Either one of, or both, Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire will feature and no doubt be tasked with looking after the Englishman and winning the crucial tussles.
United will, as ever, look to play out through the thirds and create overloads in-and-around Forest’s backline with Bruno Fernandes the main man for creativity.
Despite Bruno being United’s obvious threat, stopping him is another thing as the captain continues to provide chance after chance for his teammates.
Getting Fernandes on the ball in the half spaces should prove fruitful for United with Bruno capable of the slide rule passes that will free the front men in Amroim’s system.
Marcus Rashford has a good record against Forest and is expected to return today after starting on the bench v Arsenal.
Forest’s physicality at the back is their biggest strength so keeping the ball on the floor and playing in behind the back line, on the deck, should utilize the pace of Rashford and whoever else starts up top with the 27-year-old.
Johsua Zirkzee could be one for today’s game given his ability to drop into the half spaces and link the play away from the opposition’s centre backs.
Not directly engaging Forest’s back two will give United an advantage and clever play in and around them should leave them bamboozled and in for a long afternoon at Old Trafford.
Despite Forest’s strong start, United will be favoured for the victory and should see off their visitors if they stay away from the obvious traps Nuno Espirito Santo will lay out.
Quick, slick, front foot football is the order of the day and if United ensure the game is played on the floor, they should secure a much needed three points that will put them level on points with Forest who currently occupy seventh place in the Premier League table.
Featured image Gareth Copley via Getty Images
Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social