Nottingham Forest could be without their top goalscorer when they take on Manchester United.
The Premier League is back following the March international break and Ruben Amorim hopes to continue building momentum with back-to-back league wins.
Last time out, Manchester United beat Leicester City 3-0 just three days after securing a place in the Europa League quarter-finals.
However, Manchester United have no games this weekend because they’ve already been eliminated from the FA Cup, meaning fans will have to wait until Tuesday night to see the lads back in action.
The Reds reached the FA Cup fifth round after wins over Arsenal and Leicester City in the earlier rounds, but lost to Fulham on penalties at the beginning of March.
United’s next opponents won’t have the weekend off as Forest face Brighton in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday.
Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo will hope to avoid more injury blows before facing United because he will want to build on their impressive campaign with a strong finish. They are currently third in the Premier League ahead of Chelsea and Manchester City.
Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images
Nuno Espirito Santo gives update on Chris Wood injury
Nottingham Forest were dealt a blow on Monday when top scorer Chris Wood was forced off in New Zealand’s 2026 World Cup qualifying win over New Caledonia.
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Wood immediately became doubtful for the game against United next Tuesday, which will be music to Amorim’s ears since the Forest striker has bagged 18 goals in the Premier League so far this season.
Player Goals
Mohamed Salah 27
Erling Haaland 21
Alexander Isak 19
Chris Wood 18
Brian Mbeumo 15
Premier League top scorers 2024/25
Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo has confirmed that the 33-year-old will miss Forest’s FA Cup clash against Brighton, casting doubt over his availability to face United.
“He went for a scan today and we are still waiting for the result,” Nuno said in his pre-match press conference on Thursday.
“He went to see a specialist to do the scan, so we will wait on the information.
“He is not going to be available for this game. He fell really hard on his hip and there is pain there, so we have to wait.”
Andre Onana faces difficult task vs Nottingham Forest
United recorded their first clean sheet in 10 matches across all competitions last time out, but Andre Onana can’t wait as long for his next one.
It helps that Forest will be without Wood, who has registered 21 goal contributions this term, but Nuno has options.
The most likely replacement for Wood this weekend will be Taiwo Awoniyi.
Awoniyi has only scored one goal in the Premier League this season and United fans will hope it stays that way when they meet next week.
However, it is worth noting that Forest have a lot going for them in attack, especially when they can hit teams on the counter.
Former United academy graduate Anthony Elanga has shone at Forest, with five goals and eight assists in the Premier League this season. They also have talented players like Murillo and Morgan Gibbs-White.
United should be expecting a tough game at the City Ground whether they have Wood available or not.