EFL Cup Semi Final: 25th Jan, 8:00pm
Manchester United’s 10-match unbeaten run was snapped by Arsenal on Sunday.
The Gunners left it late, though, as Eddie Nketiah scored from close range to see United slide to their first defeat since losing to Aston Villa in November.
Erik ten Hag was critical of the mistakes his side made, with the Dutch boss claiming all three Arsenal goals could have been prevented.
United have been error free of late, but Arsenal’s pressure forced mistakes from a side that were missing Casemiro. The Brazil star has been a steadying influence for United over the last month or so and he will likely return at the City Ground.
Ten Hag is expected to field a strong side on Wednesday despite Sunday’s gruelling clash with Arsenal.
United, who are favourites to win the League Cup, have an FA Cup date at home to Reading on Saturday – and Ten Hag is expected to ring the changes for that encounter.
Forest, for their part, rescued a point in a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth on Saturday and are in decent form.
They have lost just twice in 11 games in all competitions – and one of those was the 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford. They were well beaten that night and were 2-0 down in 22 minutes. They offered little in attack, but Steve Cooper’s men have improved.
At home they are eight games unbeaten and the signing of Danilo has been a real coup. The former Palmeiras man made his debut from the bench on the south coast and he could make his full debut against United.
Forest have been defensively strong at home with Liverpool, Spurs, Palace and Leicester all failing to score at the side of the River Trent. You also have to go back to August for the last time Forest failed to score at home and they need respect.
The safety net of a second leg makes punting on a winner difficult. United are the heavy favourites to take a lead back to Old Trafford, but they will not easily roll over an improved Forest side.
Cooper will make sure his team, who are the outsiders of four to lift the trophy, are still in with a chance next week and will unlikely go all in even if his side concede the first goal.
United may look at it differently and might just go for the jugular from the off, knowing they have the second leg at home to put things right – and the visitors may just win by the odd goal on the night.
Key stats
- Manchester United defeated Nottingham Forest 3-0 last month in the PL
- During the last nine meetings between the sides Nottingham Forest have won just once
- Nottingham Forest are unbeaten in eight home matches
- Nottingham Forest have scored at least one goal for six consecutive matches
- Manchester United have scored at least one goal for eight consecutive matches
