Manchester United continue their Premier League season at Old Trafford on Saturday evening as they welcome Nottingham Forest to the Theatre of Dreams. After the shocking 2-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates on Wednesday evening – conceding two set piece goals, Ruben Amorim will need to get back to winning ways.
United fell to 11th in the Premier League following the defeat to Arsenal and are now seven points adrift of the top four. Forest sit in sixth place – three points better off over United which is a worry heading into this fixture. United have been beaten by Forest before and it could happen again this weekend – especially on set pieces.
Amorim will need to go back to basics in training and have his defensive players working on set pieces as to concede two set piece goals against Arsenal is devastating. The Portuguese manager will need to make his mark on this squad of players and solve the problems so United can better their season – not fall short again.
Predicted Manchester United Starting XI – 3-4-2-1
Onana;
Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez;
Amad, Ugarte, Mainoo, Malacia;
Fernandes, Garnacho;
Zirkzee
Goalkeeper: Onana
Andre Onana will want to prove himself as United welcome Nottingham Forest to Old Trafford on Saturday evening. Conceding twice against Arsenal, from set pieces is a poor way to concede goals and United will need to improve their defensive game massively to kick on in the right direction this season.
The Cameroonian goalkeeper is United’s number one for a reason and I believe that he can provide the defensive ability required of a goalkeeper in the top flight of the English game. United need to be defensively astute to be able to bring out wins on a match by match basis and it is important for United to win this month.
Altay Bayindir is waiting for a chance to prove himself to Ruben Amorim because he is clearly a talented goalkeeper but I am not sure he offers what Onana does in goal for the club and his experience is not as vast. Rumours suggest a move away from United, so maybe a decision has already been made?
Defenders: Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez
United’s defence will see Lisandro Martinez return following suspension for his fifth yellow card in the Premier League which kept him out of the Arsenal defeat. The Argentinian is a class act in the defence and this new system brought to the club seems to suit him and his teammates – hopefully he will thrive on Saturday.
Matthijs de Ligt should be starting in the centre of the back three against Forest as I believe he has the guile and ability to command his line and work well with his defensive teammates to get the better of Forest and push for the victory, which is much needed in the Premier League with City on the horizon.
Noussair Mazraoui should complete the back three for United based on the work he has put in since signing for the Old Trafford club in the summer. The Moroccan is a class act and has fit in well at right-back but this new system is something that he works well in too. What a signing the Moroccan has been for United.
Midfield: Amad, Ugarte, Mainoo, Malacia
The United midfield has another dimension with the new formation which gives five or more players in defence, when needed but also six or more players on the attack, which will help the club get the numbers forward to seek goals. Amad should start on the right as his form has largely been good this season. He knows how to assist a goal.
In the centre of the midfield Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo should be starting together. Ugarte needs to find his feet at United and Mainoo will be available again after being suspended for the Arsenal match for amassing five yellow cards in the Premier League so far this season.
Tyrell Malacia should also start against Forest as it will help him find his fitness and give Diogo Dalot some time to rest as United’s rotation will need to flow this month with seven more matches, including this one, to play before the end of 2024. United have been hit with injuries in the defence and that needs to be averted now.
Attack: Fernandes, Zirkzee, Garnacho
The United attack should start with Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho supporting the striker. The two attack minded players work well together and seem to work well together, putting the club first and are always thankful to the supporters of the club – unlike a certain member of the squad.
Fernandes and Garnacho have been in good form this season and they should give the attack some extra stability, especially with the liked of Amad and Mainoo playing in the midfield. United should choose Joshua Zirkzee to lead the line, which should have been the case against Arsenal due to fatigue.
Rasmus Hojlund looked tired against Arsenal and a chance should have been made much earlier. Zirkzee is a player in high confidence after his two goals against Everton and there is a good chance that he could add to those goal this weekend. United have some really good attacking players this season.
Substitutes: Bayindir; Maguire, Yoro, Dalot; Mount, Casemiro; Hojlund, Rashford, Antony
United will have a maximum of nine players on the bench against Forest in the Premier League at Old Trafford. Altay Bayindir will likely be the substitute goalkeeper on the bench as I do not see any reason why Onana should be benched at this time as his form is still very good for the club.
In defence, United should have Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro and Diogo Dalot on the bench as there will be changes needed to keep the majority of the squad fit and fresh for the remaining matches this month. In midfield, Mason Mount and Casemiro could be the only players on the bench in this area.
In attack, United have some strength this season with Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford and Antony – with all players able to add something to the squad if they are chosen to come on during the match. United will need to push Forest to get the victory as they are not the push over they once were.
Written by Paul
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