Nottingham Forest and Manchester United are preparing to battle it out in an eye-catching Premier League clash at the City Ground on Tuesday, with both sides aiming to build on positive results as they head into the final weeks of the campaign looking to get their hands on silverware.
The Tricky Trees are firmly in the race to seal Champions League qualification under the stewardship of head coach Nuno Espirito Santo, while they also booked their place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup for the first time in 34 years thanks to overcoming Brighton & Hove Albion in a penalty shoot-out last weekend.
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has Europa League glory in his sights and went into the international break with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Leicester City as Rasmus Hojlund ended his 21-game goal drought, and this is how GIVEMESPORT expect Nottingham Forest and the Red Devils to line-up on the banks of the River Trent.
Tricky Trees Having Doubts Over Gibbs-White
England international was forced off during FA Cup quarter-final
Morgan Gibbs-White celebrating after a goal for Nottingham Forest
Morgan Gibbs-White has made himself one of the first names on the team sheet since completing a £42.5million switch from Wolverhampton Wanderers in August 2022, but Nottingham Forest are in danger of being without him for the encounter with Manchester United as he was forced off against Brighton last weekend.
The England international has been earmarked as a doubt to feature at the City Ground, which would come as a significant blow for the hosts, while first-choice striker Chris Wood is in a race against time to prove his fitness after suffering a hip injury in New Zealand's World Cup qualifier against New Caledonia last month.
Chris Wood's statistics for Nottingham Forest this season
Teenager Eric da Silva Moreira will miss out on being in contention, but goalkeeper Carlos Miguel - a summer signing from Corinthians after Nottingham Forest triggered a £3.4million release clause in July - was back in the matchday squad last weekend after a month out of action.
Nuno Drops Pre-Match Update on Wood Injury
Striker making progress since sustaining problem for New Zealand
Chris Wood looks on
Nuno has confirmed that Wood is making progress in his bid to shake off the problem he sustained during the international break, leading to him being assessed every 24 hours by Nottingham Forest's medical team, while members of the squad are feeling the effects after playing 120 minutes against Brighton.
When asked about the Tricky Trees' No.9 and any fresh injury concerns during his pre-match press conference, the former Wolverhampton Wanderers chief said:
"He's improving, getting better day-by-day. We have to assess him day-by-day. A big contusion, so [it is] very painful.
"After we played extra time and a demanding game, we have to assess them all. I think we are recovering well. The joy and the happiness of coming through and playing at Wembley will for sure give us an extra run for tomorrow."
Nottingham Forest's Predicted XI on Tuesday
Elanga and Hudson-Odoi expected to regain starting berth
Anthony Elanga
Nottingham Forest Predicted XI: Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Dominguez, Anderson; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Awoniyi.
Nottingham Forest Predicted Substitutes: Hennessey (GK), Morato (DEF), Boly (DEF), Toffolo (DEF), Moreno (DEF), Sangare (MID), Yates (MID), Danilo (MID), Silva (FWD).
Anthony Elanga completed a £15million switch from Manchester United in July 2023 and, having been dropped to the bench for the FA Cup quarter-final at Brighton, he is expected to be reinstated to the starting line-up against his former employers as he aims to build on finding the back of the net twice against Ipswich Town on March 15.
Callum Hudson-Odoi registered an assist and two key passes in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford and is in line to begin the encounter on the flank, while Gibbs-White will keep his place if he makes a quickfire recovery and Ryan Yates could be among the names to drop out as Nuno looks to freshen up his side.
Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo Related
Exclusive: Nottingham Forest Eye Audacious Move to Sign £40m Brazil Star
Nottingham Forest are contemplating whether to reignite their interest in Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz after his price tag has dropped
Maguire and Yoro Hand Red Devils Big Boost
Central defenders have made full recovery from injury issues
Harry Maguire in action for Manchester United
Harry Maguire and teenage defender Leny Yoro, who was Manchester United's most expensive signing last summer as he sealed a move worth up to £58.9million from Lille, are available for the clash with Nottingham Forest after making a full recovery from their respective injuries.
Luke Shaw has also returned to training, which will come as a boost after he has been limited to just 68 minutes of Premier League action this season, while Mason Mount could be handed the opportunity to make his first Red Devils appearance since December after he was back in the matchday squad against Leicester.
Although Ayden Heaven will not feature at the City Ground, he could be in contention for game time sooner than initially expected as the injury that forced him to be stretchered off last time out is not as bad as first feared. Lisandro Martinez and Amad Diallo are among Manchester United's long-term absentees.
Amorim Provides Pre-Match Update on Shaw
Left-back will not be involved despite stepping up recovery
Luke Shaw in action for Manchester United
Amorim has insisted that Tuesday night's trip to Nottingham Forest will come too soon for left-back Shaw, who is preparing to enter the final two years of a contract which allows him to pocket up to £200,000-per-week when bonuses are triggered, but Mount is in line to keep his place in the matchday squad and challenge for minutes on the pitch.
In his pre-match press conference, the Portuguese tactician also confirmed that academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo - who the Red Devils want to tie down to a new deal - Jonny Evans and Heaven are making progress in their bid to come back into contention after time on the treatment table. He said:
"Luke is not ready yet. We are starting doing some drills with the team. But we are getting [closer with] Luke. Mason is feeling better. He was already on the bench in the last game.
"I think Kobbie is almost returning also but not ready for this game. Jonny Evans is recovering, Ayden is recovering."
Dorgu Expected to Regain Place in Starting XI
Winter signing can return after completing three-match suspension
patrick dorgu-1
Manchester United Predicted XI: Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Yoro; Dalot, Fernandes, Ugarte, Dorgu; Garnacho, Zirkzee; Hojlund.
Manchester United Predicted Substitutes: Harrison (GK), Lindelof (DEF), Maguire (DEF), Amass (DEF), Fredricson (DEF), Eriksen (MID), Casemiro (MID), Mount (MID), Collyer (MID).
The early stages of Patrick Dorgu's Manchester United career have not gone to plan since his £30million switch from Lecce during the winter transfer window, having been sent off in a win over Ipswich in February, but he has completed a three-match suspension and is expected to return to the starting line-up.
The Red Devils' decision to offload the likes of Antony and Marcus Rashford midway through the season, with the latter's loan move to Aston Villa including a £40million option to buy, means that Amorim is likely to have a mixture of youth and experience on the bench at the City Ground with £340,000,-a-week duo Christian Eriksen and Victor Lindelof to drop out.
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore and Salary Sport - correct as of 01/04/2025.
Sign up toThe GIVEMESPORT Reportto get exclusive daily updates from Fabrizio Romano, Ben Jacobs, Dean Jones and Tom Bogert sent straight to your inbox.