Overview
After a 23-match consecutive scoring streak in the Premier League, Manchester United suddenly went silent in the 0-0 draw against Sunderland last weekend, when two goalkeepers Senne Lammens and Robin Roefs took turns shining to keep a clean sheet.
That result also prevents Bruno Fernandes from bringing his total assists to the milestone of 20 in the Premier League this season. The Portuguese midfielder currently has 19 assists and is only one assist away from the league's all-time record.
However, Man United still maintains stable form under Michael Carrick with a 4-match unbeaten streak, including three wins and one draw. The Old Trafford home team is currently ranked third in the standings and has secured a Champions League spot next season.
In the context of a major goal being almost completed, the risk of losing focus may somewhat appear for the "Red Devils" in the reception of Nottingham Forest this weekend.
However, Old Trafford is still a big foothold for Man United. This team has only lost one of their last home matches in the Premier League in the last 18 seasons.
Personally, Carrick continues to make a strong impression as interim coach. The former English midfielder has only lost 2 out of 15 matches leading the team and is getting closer to the possibility of being officially appointed.
On the other side, Nottingham Forest traveled to Manchester with not bad form. The 1-1 draw against Newcastle last weekend helped Vitor Pereira's team extend their unbeaten streak in the Premier League to 8 matches - their best achievement in a season since 1995-1996.
Elliot Anderson continues to be a big bright spot for Forest when scoring an important goal to help his team win points against Newcastle. This midfielder's impressive form also helps him increasingly have a brighter chance of competing for a position with Declan Rice in the England squad for the World Cup.
Forest has now officially stayed in the league after creating a safe gap with the relegation group. Notably, their away form recently is extremely impressive.
Except for the loss to Aston Villa in the Europa League semi-finals, Nottingham Forest won all three recent away trips in the Premier League with a total score of 11-1.
In addition, Forest also has reason to be confident when they once won 3-2 at Old Trafford last season. Man United have also not won in the last three encounters between the two teams.
Personnel situation
Man United will continue to be without Matthijs de Ligt in the reception of Nottingham Forest this weekend. The Dutch center-back has not yet recovered from a back injury and has missed 23 consecutive matches of the "Red Devils" in the Premier League.
In attack, Benjamin Sesko is also leaving open the possibility of playing after missing the draw against Sunderland due to a tibia injury. The Slovenian striker previously performed quite well with consecutive goals against Brentford and Liverpool.
On the Nottingham Forest side, Vitor Pereira's team is facing some notable losses in defense. The defensive duo Murillo and Ola Aina have not yet reached their best fitness and their chances of playing at Old Trafford are still open.
Murillo has hamstring problems, while Aina is in the process of recovering from a minor injury.
Expected lineup:
Man United: Lammens, Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, Mainoo, Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha, Zirkzee.
Nottingham Forest: Sels, Cunha, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams, Yates, Anderson, Netz, Hutchinson, Jesus, Wood.
The match between Man United and Nottingham Forest takes place at 6:30 p.m. on May 17 (Vietnam time).
