Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest analysis: Five key battles and score prediction
After putting four past Everton in a dominant display last time out, Manchester United are set for an intriguing clash with high-flying Nottingham Forest this weekend.
With Ruben Amorim’s tenure finally taking flight off the back of two good wins, the Red Devils will look to keep up the momentum at Old Trafford.
Forest will be no pushovers, though, with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side experiencing their best start to a season in many a year.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer George Russell considers five key battles to anticipate in Saturday’s game and offers a score prediction.
Ruben Amorim vs Nuno Espirito Santo
With Forest currently sitting in a respectable sixth place on the Premier League table after a decent start to the season, they will surely be looking to continue their fine form at Old Trafford this weekend.
Nuno, it must be said, has a pretty good record when it comes to taking on United. Having accrued a 60% win rate against the Red Devils, he will be confident in taking this Forest side to the Theatre of Dreams.
With that said, Amorim led United to their biggest league win in over three years last Sunday with a dominating 4-0 win over Everton. The Portuguese will therefore want to keep up the momentum by taking all three points.
READ MORE: Man Utd news: Ruben Amorim displays tactical nous in first win as United boss
Chris Wood vs Matthijs de Ligt
Wood has nine goals in 13 games this season, with his performances crucial in propelling Forest up the league table.
Facing De Ligt, however, will be a tough ask. The Dutchman has been very good for United this season and will look to stop Wood at all costs by using his strength.
Crucially, if United set up with a back three — which is likely considering Amorim’s tactical habits — it should allow for Wood to be closed down quicker and easier.
Amad Diallo vs Ola Aina
In his last five games, Amad has accumulated an impressive two goals and four assists from the right-wing back position.
He has also played every minute of every game under Amorim so far, and deservedly grabbed the Man of the Match award in the big win over Everton after laying on two assists.
As a result, Aina will have to do everything he can to stop the on-form Ivorian. That said, the Nigerian international will no doubt bring his own brand of two-footed trickery for Amad to deal with.
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Andre Onana vs Matz Sels
As things stand, Onana and Sels are the goalkeepers with the highest number of clean sheets this season. Onana picked up his sixth against Everton last weekend while Sels made it five clean sheets in the victory over Ipswich Town.
After a horrid start to life in Manchester in which he cost United the Champions League group stage, not to mention a few Premier League games, Onana has massively stepped up his game and is arguably the form goalkeeper in the league this term.
In contrast, Sels replaced the struggling Matt Ryan in the summer as Forest sought a reliable goalkeeper and has subsequently played a big role in Nuno’s side sitting so high up the table.
With both ‘keepers looking so good, it might very well be a low-scoring game on Saturday.
Marcus Rashford vs Murillo
Prior to Erik ten Hag’s sacking a few weeks ago, Rashford had netted one goal and one assist in ten games this season, with such a poor return acknowledged by all involved as simply not good enough.
In three games under new boss Amorim, however, the Mancunian has bagged three goals and left fans excited over a potential return to form.
Nevertheless, Forest centre-back Murillo is set to be a tough test for Rashford. With abundant speed and strength, the Brazilian will not hesitate to take any gap he finds if the United man fails to press adequately.
Score prediction: Manchester United 2-0 Nottingham Forest
