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Preview: Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United – prediction, team news, line-ups

Manchester United will be looking to return to winning ways when they lock horns with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Sunday. 

The Red Devils suffered a disappointing 2-2 draw against Sevilla at Old Trafford in the first-leg of their Europa League quarter final. 

Two early goals from Marcel Sabitzer put United in a dominating position, but a late collapse saw them conceding two late own goals to throw away their advantage in the tie. 

However, Erik ten Hag’s men have no time to dwell on that as they turn their focus to the Premier League where they are bidding to finish in the top-four. 

Saturday’s 2-0 success over Everton was their second consecutive league victory following the 2-0 setback at Newcastle United at the start of this month. 

United are currently level on points with the Magpies in the table, with Tottenham Hotspur three points below them in fifth. 

Meanwhile, Forest are desperately fighting to maintain their top-flight status by the end of the season. 

A nine-game winless run has seen them drop into the relegation zone, with the West Bridgford outfit having just 27 points from 30 matches. 

Steve Cooper’s side made it a difficult encounter for Aston Villa last weekend, but the Lions still managed to emerge as 2-0 victors in the end

Bertrand Traore broke the deadlock three minutes after the restart, with Ollie Watkins then adding another in injury time of the second-half. 

Things are likely to get more challenging for the Tricky Trees in coming weeks as they host Manchester United on Sunday before travelling to Anfield to take on Liverpool. 

Team News 

Forest manager Steve Cooper will have to deal with plenty of injury woes this week. Cheikhou Kouyate and Moussa Niakhate also picked up knocks last weekend, joining Giulian Biancone, Renan Lodi, Chris Wood, Omar Richards, Willy Boly, Gustavo Scarpa and Dean Henderson on the sidelines. 

Meanwhile, the availability of Ryan Yates and Serge Aurier is also doubtful for Sunday’s clash. 

As for Manchester United, first-choice centre-backs Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez will both sit out the game at the City Ground after the pair sustained injuries in the stalemate with Sevilla. 

Marcus Rashford has not recovered from his groin injury in a worrying Man Utd news, while Luke Shaw, Donny van de Beek, Alejandro Garnacho and Tom Heaton are also in the treatment room at the moment. 

Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United potential line-ups 

Nottingham Forest: Navas; Williams, Worrall, Felipe, Toffolo; Freuler, Danilo, Mangala; Gibbs-White, Johnson; Dennis

Manchester United: De Gea; Dalot, Lindelof, Maguire, Malacia; Fernandes, Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, Martial, Sancho

How to Watch? 

Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United, as well as all the other matches in England’s top-flight, can be watched via soccer streaming sites

Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United prediction 

United will be looking to get back to winning ways and they couldn’t have asked for better opponents. Forest are currently devoid of confidence after enduring a disappointing run of form. 

Although the Tricky Trees have been impressive at home this season, we don’t see them beating the Red Devils who still boast plenty of quality in their ranks despite injuries to some of their key players. 

Nottingham Forest 1-2 Manchester United 

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