The Festive Fixtures in the Premier League continue this weekend as Manchester United make the trip to Nottinghamshire to take on Nottingham Forest in what will be the last game of 2023 for both teams.
Nottingham Forest were at their scintillating best against a tough opposition in Newcastle United in the midweek, as a Chris Woods hattrick inspired the Garibaldi to a 1-3 win away from home. It was a win that stunned the Geordies to the core, with not many expecting Nottingham to win convincingly especially after going a goal down inside the first half an hour. However, when Newcastle failed to threaten the visitors took the initiative and repeatedly hit the hosts on the counter attacks, cutting through the opposition defense. New manager Nuno Espirito Santo took charge of only his second game and came away with a huge win against a strong opposition. They managed to break Newcastle’s impressive home run which made the win particularly sweeter.
Manchester United were last in action against Aston Villa at home in the midweek, as they too secured a comeback win against the high-flying Villains. United were 2-0 down within the first half hour conceding cheap goals on both occasions, but came out firing on all cylinders in the second half as they scored thrice with Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Højlund on the scoresheet. Garnacho scored two goals to level the score before Højlund got the winner with his first Premier League goal of the season, ending a drought of 14 league games. It was a big morale boosting win for Erik ten Hag and his lads with a miserable run of form coming to an end. With the confirmation of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s arrival at United and the attendance of Sir Dave Brailsford at the game, the Red Devils put on a good showing in the second half, but both of them know there is a lot of work to be done with the team and the club.
WHEN AND WHERE?
Date: Saturday, 30th December 2023.
Time: 5.30 pm GMT
Venue: City Ground, Nottinghamshire, UK.
MATCH REFEREES
Referee: Tim Robinson.
Assistants: Lee Betts, Akil Howson.
Fourth official: Anthony Taylor.
VAR: Michael Salisbury.
Assistant VAR: Richard West.
TEAM NEWS
Nottingham Forest will be without a few key players ahead of Saturday’s game, with forward Taiwo Awoniyi and defenders Serge Aurier and Felipe will miss out with long term injuries. Midfielder Ibrahim Sangare will also miss out on the game having accumulated five yellows which means a one game suspension. However, Wily Boly is expected to return to the squad, having served out his own suspension in the midweek.
Manchester United have a host of injuries, starting with long term absentees Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Casemiro and Mason Mount. Anthony Martial is expected to miss out again, as the Frenchman suffers from an illness which has kept him out of the squad since 9th December. Luke Shaw and Sofyan Amrabat both missed out on the midweek game, but their knocks were described as minor by Erik ten Hag and they could return to the squad on Saturday. Christian Eriksen completed his first 90 minutes against Aston Villa since his return from injury and will be in contention to start again after a good performance in the midweek. Young star Amad Diallo could be in line for his first appearance of the season after he was seen in training since recovering from an injury suffered back in pre-season.
KEY PLAYERS
Anthony Elanga
The former Man United winger left Old Trafford this summer and has enjoyed life so far in Nottingham. Given a much more prominent role as opposed to his rotation role at United, Elanga has burst to life with his new team and has looked a newer and more confident player to the one in Manchester. The Swedish winger has registered four goals and five assists in 19 league games so far, but his contribution to the team has been far beyond the stats. He has improved his dribbling and passing skills and has made the right wing his own. His performance against Newcastle United in the midweek gave further fire to his growing reputation, as Elanga gave two assists to Chris Wood in the 1-3 win against the Geordies. With one Nottingham Forest forward haunting his former club in the last game, can another do it on Saturday?
Marcus Rashford
While all eyes were on Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho for their goals in United’s comeback win, fans also noticed Rashford looking more of his older self in the midweek. It has not been the easiest of seasons for the Englishman and coming off the back of a highly successful 22/23 season, he was expected to continue lighting the football stage on fire. However, he has looked a shadow of his former self up till now, losing his place to Garnacho in the past few games. Restored to his favored left wing position on Tuesday night, Rashford threatened the Villa defense on many occasions and was instrumental in the comeback. Although his shooting was a bit awry at times, he linked up well with Garnacho on the other wing and set him up twice, one being ruled out for a marginal offside. The forward will hope he can build on that performance and regain his form and his place in the starting 11.
MATCH ANALYSIS
Manchester United’s poor away record is no secret, having lost 4 and drawn one of their nine away league games. Their wins have come against sides in the bottom half against Fulham, Everton, Sheffield United and Burnley. While it bodes well for them that Nottingham Forest are also in the same group, their overall away record is worrisome and it has been a troubling question for Erik ten Hag and Co.
Another woe the Red Devils have faced consistently is conceding goals in transition. West Ham and David Moyes exploited United on the counter perfectly and if Nottingham Forest continue in the same fashion as they did against Newcastle United, they could pose a serious threat to the Mancunians.
Nuno Santo will undoubtedly be looking at a combination of counter-attacks and set-pieces to hurt United on Saturday, with the visitors very poor defending against both, as evident from their last two league games. While they conceded two goals on the counter against West Ham, Aston Villa scored two from set-piece situations, with United comically and miserably failing to defend a free-kick and a corner. It was the story of the season until the second half for the hosts, after which they showed good character and mentality to come back up.
Their character and mentality will again be put to test on Saturday as they face a charged up Nottingham Forest playing in front of their home crowed. The departure of Steve Cooper was not met with the best support, with many fans and players adoring the Welshman. However, if Nuno Santo continues in the same fashion, he may win over the Garibaldi hearts sooner than expected. A win over Man United, something that Forest have not achieved since December 1994 will give them a spring in their step heading into the new year.
PREDICTED LINEUPS:
NOTTINGHAM FOREST XI: Matt Turner; Gonzalo Montiel, Moussa Niakhate, Murrillo, Ola Aina; Danilo, Ibrahim Sangare; Anthony Elanga, Morgan Gibbs-White, Callum Hudson-Odoi; Chris Wood.
MANCHESTER UNITED XI: Andre Onana; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Raphael Varane, Jonny Evans, Luke Shaw; Kobbie Mainoo, Christian Eriksen; Alejandro Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford; Rasmus Hojlund.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login