Nottingham Forest will host Manchester United in the Round of 16 of the FA Cup. The Tricky Trees, Nuno Espirito Santo’s team, defeated them 2-1 in the premier league at the end of December, and the Red Devils, the FA Cup finalists from the previous season, will be out for retribution.
Preview (Nottingham Forest vs. Manchester United)
Nottingham Forest suffered a 4-2 loss away to Aston Villa last Saturday. It is one week after winning three crucial Premier League points at home against West Ham United. Villa scored three goals in the opening 39 minutes. The Tricky Trees had hope as Moussa Niakhate and Morgan Gibbs-White scored just after halftime. But just after the hour, Leon Bailey gave Villa a two-goal lead again. Forest lost in the top division for the fourth time this season and their 14th league loss overall.
With just four points separating them from the drop zone, Nuno’s team is still in the running for relegation. This week, they moved up to 17th place in the Premier League standings without even playing a game. Everton’s 10-point deduction for financial violations was lowered to six after an appeal. To go to the FA Cup quarterfinals for the second time in three seasons, Forest must first focus on their FA Cup match against Man United on Wednesday. This is before they welcome leaders Liverpool to the City Ground on Saturday. After needing replays to defeat Bristol City in the Championship and League One side Blackpool in the first two rounds, Forest has managed to make it to the fifth round this season. Earlier, they defeated Bristol City 5-3 on penalties.
Forest is the underdog going into the match on Wednesday. The Tricky Trees have won four of their last five FA Cup matches against Man United. Nuno’s team should take heart from their previous 2-1 victory against the Red Devils at home.
Team News
Chris Wood is still sidelined with a hamstring injury. Nottingham Forest’s Abraham Sangare, Willy Boly, and Ola Aina all had unidentified injuries. There is presently no word on when any of these players may return. The most recent player to enter the treatment area is Nuno Tavares. He missed the loss at Aston Villa due to an injury he sustained against West Ham. Niakhate, who was the left-back on the previous outing, may continue to start on Wednesday. Nuno also has Harry Toffolo as an alternative.
Taiwo Awoniyi was only able to play the first 45 minutes last weekend. He likely has to make way for Divock Origi. The latter will be backed up offensively by Anthony Elanga, Gibbs-White, and Callum Hudson-Odoi. Following his hurried exit from Man United’s loss to Fulham last weekend due to a terrible head injury, Casemiro has become a serious doubt. If the Brazilian is not judged well enough to play, Scott McTominay, Christian Eriksen, or Sofyan Amrabat might fill in at center midfield with Kohli Mainoo.
While they all continue to heal from injuries, the Red Devils will undoubtedly be without Anthony Martial (groin), Luke Shaw (both muscle), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (unspecified), Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia (both knee), and Mason Mount (calf). Teenage academy product Omari Forson will be looking to hold onto his spot on the right side of attack after making his first professional start against Fulham. However, he will be up against competition from Anthony, with Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho expected to round out the front three.
Nottingham Forest 1-2 Manchester United
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