Manchester United visit the City Ground to play Nottingham Forest in the Premier League this weekend.
United responded to their defeat against West Ham before Christmas with a comeback 3-2 victory over Aston Villa on Boxing Day and Rasmus Hojlund scored his first league goal for the matchwinner..
Alejandro Garnacho scored a brace and single-handedly dragged his team back into the contest and he started on the right wing, with Marcus Rashford returning to the line-up on the left side.
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Nottingham Forest head into this game on the back of an impressive 3-1 win against Newcastle at St. James’ Park. They recently sacked Steve Cooper and replaced him with Nuno Espírito Santo.
Regarding the team news, Sofyan Armabat and Luke Shaw were absent against Aston Villa due to minor injuries and could return to the squad.
So here’s how our writers think United should start…
Samuel Luckhurst
United are likely to have the same squad, so it should be the same team unless Luke Shaw is available. They were at their best in attack against Villa and have had a four-day gap between games.
There can also be no let-up against Forest, whose sacking of Steve Cooper has been quickly vindicated with two improved performances and one excellent win at Newcastle.
If there has to be a change it is at left-back. As dubious a left-back as Diogo Dalot is, Sergio Reguilon could be back at Tottenham next week and Ten Hag has treated him with little fondness.
Tyrone Marshall
If he’s fit and well it makes sense for Shaw to return to the side, with Dalot at right-back, but other than that there’s little reason to make major changes. Evans and Varane go again and Onana should start despite his impending departure to the Africa Cup of Nations.
This will be a different game to the Villa fixture, when United had the players to break down their high line. Nuno’s teams offer no such invitations, but those players have confidence and should remain in the side. A midfield of Mainoo, Eriksen and Fernandes seemed to have a nice balance to it.
Garnacho and Rashford enjoyed the open spaces on Boxing Day and need to build on impressive performances, even if this game isn’t played to suit their strengths. Hojlund will be desperate to get back out there after finally scoring in the Premier League.
Rich Fay
United expect to have the same side as they did against Villa and it should be the same line-up as well. The back four switched off at two set-pieces but there were still impressive moments of defensive work on display.
The only change could come in central midfield, with Mainoo potentially in need of a rest after his recent run in the side and McTominay itching to get a go again.
Garnacho has to play on the right and Rashford is the only option on the left wing. Hojlund will relish the challenge of netting another Premier League goal.
Steven Railston
If Shaw has recovered from the minor knock sustained before Christmas, he should come into the team for Dalot and that should be the only change from the starting line-up earlier in the week.
Mainoo and Eriksen playing together allowed Fernandes to operate solely as a No.10, which is his best position. Rashford was also close to something like his best playing on the left wing again.
Garnacho was excellent on the right despite never having played there, even in the academy, and there’s no reason to tweak it.
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
