Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United – Match Preview and Prediction – Stretty Rant

Team news

Nottingham Forest continue to make up several absentees, with last season’s top scorer Chris Wood (knee) and newcomer Oleksandr Zinchenko (groin) still sidelined. Ola Aina (hamstring), Dilane Bakwa (unspecified) and Angus Gunn (knee) also remain unavailable due to injury. James McAtee, who joined in the summer, was left out of Sean Dyche’s squad against Bournemouth for tactical rather than fitness reasons. It remains uncertain whether he will play against Manchester United. With Wood unavailable, Igor Jesus is expected to remain in charge, while captain Ryan Yates, who has made just one start in the league this season, may once again be limited to a substitute role. Dyche will likely remain loyal to Elliot Anderson and Douglas Luiz in midfield.

For the visitors, Ruben Amorim hopes to welcome Harry Maguire back after the defender missed the win over Brighton due to a minor problem. However, Lisandro Martinez (knee) is not yet ready for selection despite returning to training. Should Maguire be declared fit, he could replace Leny Yoro in a back three alongside Matthijs de Ligt and Luke Shaw. Amorim is also expected to keep Amad Diallo and Diogo Dalot as wing-backs, with Patrick Dorgu on the bench. Matheus Cunha, who has been involved in seven goals in his last four league matches against sides that started the day in the relegation zone, is likely to start up front again alongside Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko.

Form guide

After a difficult period under Ange Postecoglou, Nottingham Forest started the Sean Dyche era with a morale-boosting 2-0 home win over Porto in the Europa League. However, they were unable to replicate that performance domestically, losing 2–0 to Bournemouth on Dyche’s Premier League debut. The result left them in the relegation zone, three points adrift of safety. Forest’s league form makes for grim reading, with six defeats in their last seven games (D1) and four consecutive defeats without scoring. They are now trying to prevent a fifth consecutive league defeat for the first time since October 2022. The last time they went through such a run without a goal was in January 2004, during their championship campaign.

Manchester United, on the other hand, is gaining strength. Since matchday three, only Arsenal have earned more points than United, who have collected fifteen from seven games and topped the scoring charts with fourteen goals in that period. After a 3-1 defeat to Brentford in September raised questions about Amorim’s future, his side have responded impressively to record three straight wins for the first time since February 2024. Wins over Sunderland, Liverpool and Brighton have lifted the mood at Old Trafford, with new signings Cunha and Mbeumo playing key roles. Now sixth in the Premier League, United are one of only three sides to maintain a perfect October record, alongside Arsenal and Aston Villa. Another win this weekend could see them rise to second place, depending on other results.

Predicted outcome

We predict Manchester United will secure a narrow 2-1 win at the City Ground. While Forest will be eager to halt their slide under Dyche, their attacking struggles could continue against a resurgent United team full of confidence. With Cunha and Mbeumo in excellent form, the visitors have enough firepower to extend their winning run, while Forest’s lack of sharpness in front of goal could prove costly again.