Man Utd predicted lineup vs Nottingham Forest - Premier League
- Man Utd are still without a host of first-team players
- Erik ten Hag expected to stick with team that beat Aston Villa
- Rasmus Hojlund looking to build on first Premier League goal
By Euan Burns
Manchester United have the opportunity to end 2023 with back-to-back Premier League victories when they take on Nottingham Forest.
Erik ten Hag has been under a lot of pressure this season and that will arguably increase now that Sir Jim Ratcliffe's 25% stake in the club has been confirmed. The second half comeback against Aston Villa showed how this Man Utd team can play and there simply has to be more of that in 2024.
Given how fluid the Red Devils were in attack during that second half against Villa, Ten Hag is not expected to tinker with his starting Xi too much. Given the amount of injuries in the team, there is limited tinkering available even if he did want to.
Here is the starting lineup that Ten Hag may choose when Man Utd visit Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
Man Utd predicted lineup vs Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1)
GK: Andre Onana - Two sides of Andre Onana's Manchester United career were shown against Villa. He was not commanding enough in his box for the first goal conceded, but he also produced a wonderful reflex save to stop Villa going 3-1 up immediately after Alejandro Garnacho's first strike.
RB: Aaron Wan-Bissaka - You pretty much always know what you're getting from Aaron Wan-Bissaka but he may have a busy night given the number of pacey runners that Forest have in the team.
CB: Raphael Varane - Rumours about his long-term future persist but right now, he is one of three fit central defenders in the squad, and that's including the young Willy Kambwala. He always looks very steady when available.
CB: Jonny Evans - While sneered at by many, this has proved to be a very important bit of business by Man Utd given the injuries. Jonny Evans has been reliable when called upon and stopped a certain goal in the second half against Villa from a John McGinn effort.
LB: Diogo Dalot - There is a chance that Luke Shaw returns for this match which would see him play here. That would mean Diogo Dalot either drops to the bench or takes Wan-Bissaka's place at right-back.
CM: Kobbie Mainoo - After the error against West Ham United, Kobbie Mainoo was trusted by Ten Hag to have a better game against Villa and that is what the 18-year-old did. He looked calm in possession once again.
CM: Christian Eriksen - He may not have the athleticism that many would like to see in the Man Utd midfield, but his assuredness on the ball has been needed. His passing was key to Man Utd's comeback against Villa.
RW: Alejandro Garnacho - He was superb on Boxing Day and would have had a hat-trick were he able to time his runs better. Garnacho playing so well on the right could prove crucial to Man Utd if Marcus Rashford refinds his form on the left.
CAM: Bruno Fernandes - That second half against Villa was the sort of game Bruno Fernandes dreams about. Space to run into, space behind the defence to play passes into, and opportunities to shoot from the edge of the box. He'll fancy more of the same against Forest.
LW: Marcus Rashford - He didn't score, but Rashford looked so much better against Villa and he simply must build on that against Forest, or else he risks being dropped again.
ST: Rasmus Hojlund - That first Premier League goal has finally arrived and now he will just want more and more. Man Utd fans can't get ahead of themselves, but they'll hope that first goal sees the floodgates open for Rasmus Hojlund.
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