Nottingham Forest Vs Manchester United Preview
By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Twitter: ollyzjinx01 Instagram: sir_ajirowo01
League football is back, and Manchester United returns to action on Tuesday against one of the league’s most in-form teams, Nottingham Forest, at The City Ground. This clash promises goals, drama, and high-intensity football. For the Red Devils, it’s more than just another fixture—it’s a shot at revenge and the beginning of a grueling April schedule that could define their season.
During the international break, one of the biggest talking points was Chelsea’s rumored decision to pay €5 million to cancel Jadon Sancho’s mandatory signing, citing his poor form during his loan spell. However, new reports suggest they’ve reversed their stance and will now honor the agreement, only to sell him for a profit. This, to me, only proves Erik ten Hag was right about Sancho. As a professional footballer, he has failed to push himself and improve. Compare that to Marcus Rashford and Antony, who are both fighting to prove their worth at Aston Villa and Real Betis, respectively. Sancho’s career is starting to mirror Dele Alli’s decline, and if he doesn’t turn things around, he might fade away even faster than Mario Balotelli.
On the pitch, Manchester United heads into this game with confidence after a dominant 3-0 win over Leicester City. Rúben Amorim acknowledged in his pre-match press conference that the victory has given the team a much-needed boost. However, this game is just the start of a challenging run of fixtures that will ultimately shape their final league position. While relegation isn’t a concern, the pressure is on to secure a respectable finish. With key players returning from international duty and no fresh injury concerns, squad rotation will be easier, setting up what promises to be an intense battle. Their 3-2 defeat in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford makes this a revenge match, adding even more motivation.
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A few years ago, the idea of Nottingham Forest being favorites against Manchester United would have seemed like an April Fool’s joke. But on April 1st, 2025, that’s the reality. Incredibly, United are still searching for their first back-to-back Premier League wins of the season. One of the few consistent performers has been Bruno Fernandes, who has either scored (3) or assisted (3) in each of his last four league games. However, defensive issues remain a major concern. United have conceded 40 goals from 45.5 expected goals against (xGA), an overperformance of just 5.5—only Tottenham (6.3) have fared better in that metric.
Recent history also favors Forest. They have beaten United in their last two league encounters after winning just one of their previous 13 (W10 D2 L1). Last season, Forest secured a 2-1 victory at The City Ground, courtesy of goals from Nicolás Domínguez and Morgan Gibbs-White. The last time Forest won consecutive home league games against United was in the 1988-89 and 1989-90 seasons. United will be desperate to avoid a repeat.
Forest’s rise this season has been remarkable. Over the weekend, they won their third consecutive FA Cup penalty shootout, beating Brighton to reach the semi-finals for the first time in 34 years. In the league, they sit third, six points ahead of fifth-placed Manchester City, while Manchester United languish in 13th, an astonishing 17 points behind their opponents. For a team that barely avoided relegation last season, finishing 17th, this turnaround has been extraordinary. Under Nuno Espírito Santo, Forest have turned The City Ground into a fortress—unbeaten in eight home league matches (W6 D2), including draws against Liverpool and Arsenal. Their dominance at home only adds to the challenge United will face on Tuesday night.
Their recent encounters with United further boost their confidence. The reverse fixture at Old Trafford on December 7 ended in a 3-2 win for Forest. Højlund had briefly canceled out Milenković’s opener, but goals from Gibbs-White and Wood secured the victory, rendering Fernandes’ late strike meaningless.
Manchester United’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League through the Premier League are gone. Their best chance now is through Europa League success. It has been a brutal season for the 20-time English champions, but recent performances have shown resilience. Since their February defeat to Tottenham, United have not lost in normal time—an encouraging sign ahead of this crucial stretch of fixtures.
While their focus may be shifting toward the Europa League, they have had a long rest before this game, which should give Amorim’s side fresh legs and renewed focus. The City Ground has been a nightmare for visiting teams this season, with even Liverpool failing to win there. But if United match the intensity of their last two performances, they could battle to a draw—or maybe even snatch an unlikely win.
Share your predictions in the comments below!
Manchester United’s record against Nottingham Forest:
| Games won: | 54 |
| Games drawn: | 24 |
| Games lost: | 35 |
Team News:
(As of today, 01/04/2025)
Manchester United: Lisandro Martinez, Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo, Ayden Heaven, and Jonny Evans remain unavailable.
Nottingham Forest: Chris Wood is a doubt due to his hip injury and Carlos Miguel is still out.
Prediction:
This game has all the ingredients for a thrilling contest, with goals expected on Tuesday night. Forest are favorites at home, but United’s fresher legs could make it a more even battle.
Nottingham Forest 1-1 Manchester United
What’s your prediction? Share your thoughts in the comments below!