Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest Match Preview: Kick-off time, TV Channel, Team News and Score Prediction

Manchester United host Nottingham Forest for the second leg of their Carabao Cup tie having already established a three-goal lead.

Competition: Carabao Cup Semifinal 2nd Leg
Venue: Old Trafford
Kick Off: 20:00 UK Time
TV Channel: Sky Sports

How do Manchester United Look?

Last time out United faced Reading in the fourth round of the FA Cup at Old Trafford. The first half was quite lacklustre from The Reds. Besides a disallowed Marcus Rashford goal they didn’t have too many chances but were able to comfortably control the game. In the second half, things took a step with Casemiro opening the scoresheet. The Brazilian made a nice run between Readings defenders and was found by compatriot Antony before scooping the ball over Joe Lumley in the 54^th minute. Just four minutes later Casemiro would double his goal tally when Fred set the ball for him to smash home from outside the box. Some more Brazilian brilliance rounded off the night for United as Fred turned the final goal in. After a short corner, Bruno Fernandes drilled the ball towards the front post where Fred was free to flick the ball in. Reading would pull one back when Amadou Mbengue met Tom Ince’s corner delivery but it was merely a consolation goal. All in all United controlled the game well and were comfortable for large spells of the match.

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The Reds head into their home leg against Nottingham Forest with a three-goal advantage so we could see some rotation in the side, especially considering the volume of fixtures United have to play in February. The squad will get a boost through the returns of Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial who Erik ten Hag confirmed will return to the squad to face Forest. Christian Eriksen has been ruled out until May after he suffered a shocking tackle from Andy Carrol in the game against Reading. Scott McTominay will also be absent from the squad for the game against Forest.

Opposition: Nottingham Forest

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Nottingham Forest currently find themselves in 13^th place in the Premier League. They have one win in their last five games in all competitions and are faced with an uphill battle in trying to overcome a three-goal deficit against United. It will be a tough game for Forest but Steve Cooper’s side may have been encouraged by the chances they had in the first leg and will hope some complacency will have slipped into United’s game for the second leg.

Forest are going through a bit of an injury crisis at the moment with top scorer Taiwo Awoniyi and their most creative player Morgan Gibbs-White both side-lined for the second leg. Steve Cooper’s side will look to Brennan Johnson as the player to make the difference for them in this game. The Forest academy graduate currently has four goals and two assists in the Premier League and has performed well throughout the season for his side.

Key Stat

Manchester United haven’t lost to Nottingham Forest since 1994

Prediction

United should be fairly comfortable in this game even with a rotated squad. It will be good to see the likes of Sancho back in the squad after his break from the team as well as some promising young players like Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo. The Reds must not get complacent though, as Nottingham Forest will still be wanting to win but it should be a straightforward game for United.

Manchester United 2-1 Nottingham Forest.