Nottingham Forest could be without their top scorer Chris Wood when they take on Manchester United next week.
Manchester United travel to the City Ground to face high-flying Nottingham Forest in the Premier League next Tuesday.
The Reds have the following weekend off after being eliminated from the FA Cup in the fifth round, while Forest take on Brighton in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
It has been an incredible campaign for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, as they sit third in the Premier League and in contention to qualify for a place in the Champions League.
Meanwhile, United can qualify for Europe’s most prestigious competition by winning the Europa League.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Nottingham Forest suffer Chris Wood scare
Managers in the Premier League are all hoping that none of their stars return from the March international break with fresh injuries or niggles.
Ruben Amorim already has a list of key players out injured including Amad Diallo and Lisandro Martinez. To make matters worse, new signing Ayden Heaven suffered an injury before the international break but a diagnosis has yet to be revealed.
Forest boss Nuno will be sweating after Chris Wood limped off less than 10 minutes into the second half as New Zealand beat New Caledonia 3-0 on Sunday.
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The 33-year-old was forced off with an apparent hip injury and it remains to be seen if he will be available when Forest take on Brighton before hosting United on 1 April.
Wood is currently understood to be waiting on test results to find out whether he will be ruled out of action.
However, on the morning that followed the match, Wood told RNZ he hoped the injury is nothing major: “That’s where the pain is [hip] at the moment, I felt it on the side so I’ll get it checked over and hopefully it is nothing too major and hopefully it’s just impact.”
It would be a boost for United if Wood was to miss out since he has scored 18 Premier League goals for Forest this season. The 33-year-old’s goal tally is bettered only by Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland and Alexander Isak.
Player Goals
Mohamed Salah 27
Erling Haaland 21
Alexander Isak 19
Chris Wood 18
Bryan Mbeumo 15
Premier League top scorer charts 2024/25
On top of goals scored, Wood has assisted three goals this season, which takes his goal contribution tally to 21.
Wood will be a massive loss for Forest if they are without him for the upcoming fixtures, especially when his replacement, Taiwo Awoniyi, has only started two of his 22 league appearances this term, scoring on one occasion.
Chris Wood record vs Manchester United
Now that Wood is reaching the latter stages of his career, he will eventually take time out to reflect on his career, which he spent most of in the Premier League.
Wood has made 11 appearances in the Premier League against United for three clubs – Burnley, Newcastle and Forest.
Games Wins Draws Losses Goals Assists
11 3 2 6 3 1
Chris Wood stats against Manchester United
Despite only managing to beat United three times, two of those wins came in the previous two league meetings between the Reds and Forest.
Wood scored in Forest’s 3-2 victory over United at Old Trafford in December.