Man United vs Nottm Forest LIVE Football Score 26/8/2023
Manchester United will be looking to return to winning ways this afternoon when Erik ten Hag’s side host Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. After an unconvincing 1-0 win over Wolves in United’s first game of the season, the performance level failed to improve against Tottenham, with Ten Hag’s side falling to a 2-0 defeat in north London. United have the chance to put things right against Forest, but some injury news has left Ten Hag’s squad sparse in certain positions.
Luke Shaw has been ruled out for a number of weeks due to a muscle injury, meaning Aaron-Wan Bissaka and Diogo Dalot are the only fit senior full-backs in United’s squad. Mason Mount will also be absent through injury, while the clash with Forest is too soon for a Rasmus Hojlund debut. His pick of the bunch was to deny Ola Aina in the 36th minute, with the wing-back sent through on goal by Ryan Yates after he got in behind Wan-Bissaka. Aina fired a powerful strike across goal, but some fantastic reactions saw Onana push the effort onto the post.
United improved in the second half after Jadon Sancho was introduced, with the Englishman working well in tight spaces around the box. His influence saw Ten Hag’s side create a few more chances, and the winger was heavily involved as United took the lead in the 68th minute. Manchester United have reportedly agreed a £6m fee for Fenerbahce goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, who looks set to arrive as Andre Onana’s back-up. Meanwhile, it’s matchday this afternoon as United welcome Nottingham Forest to Old Trafford. After last weekend’s defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, Erik ten Hag’s side need a reaction. United will need an improved display and three points to appease the doubters for another week.
We’re now into the final seven days of the window with United still open to new arrivals. A left-back to cover for the injured Luke Shaw and a midfielder remain on the cards as well as a new goalkeeper. There could be outgoings too. Dean Henderson, Alvaro Fernandez, Eric Bailly, Scott McTominay, Donny van de Beek and Facundo Pellistri are all players who have uncertain futures with Friday’s deadline approaching. However, attention will be on the big game at 3pm so we will have all the important build-up and early team news, with a smattering of transfer updates too.
Manchester United defender Luke Shaw will be sidelined for a number of weeks due to a muscle issue. Mason Mount is also out after picking up a hamstring injury last weekend. Rasmus Hojlund is not available despite his involvement in training as he recovers from the back problem which has hampered his start at Old Trafford. Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper may hand a debut to World Cup-winning defender Gonzalo Montiel, who joined on loan from Sevilla this week. Defenders Ola Aina and Felipe have returned to training but the latter is lacking fitness and will not feature.
In a frenetic contest filled with chances at both ends, with the woodwork struck three times in a first half that was largely dominated by Man United, Spurs were by far the better side after the interval, with Pape Matar Sarr breaking the deadlock on the 49-minute mark before a Lisandro Martinez own goal seven minutes from time condemned the Red Devils to their first defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Man United notably lost the midfield battle against a new-look Spurs side in the second half, which is sure to be a concern for manager Erik ten Hag, while their away form also leaves a little to be desired as they have only won three of their last 11 Premier League games on the road since the turn of the year. The Red Devils will welcome a return to Old Trafford, though, where they have not lost in the top flight since the opening day of last season against Brighton & Hove Albion, and they will be confident of success against Nottingham Forest on Saturday having won each of their last 10 meetings by an aggregate score of 36-3.
Indeed, Ten Hag’s men won all four encounters with Forest across all competitions last season without conceding a goal, including a 3-0 Premier League win at the Theatre of Dreams nine months ago. Nottingham Forest’s valiant fightback against Arsenal on the opening weekend was ultimately in vain as they suffered a 2-1 defeat in North London, but they responded with victory by the same scoreline at home against newly-promoted Sheffield United last Friday.
Taiwo Awoniyi followed up his strike against the Gunners with a third-minute opener versus the Blades, that was later cancelled out in impressive fashion by debutant Gustavo Hamer three minutes after the break. However, it was Forest who had the last laugh as substitute Chris Wood headed home an 89th-minute winner just five minutes after entering the field of play to secure maximum points at the City Ground.
Although Steve Cooper was full of praise for his side after the victory, the Forest boss has encouraged his players to show a greater level of “ruthlessness” in the final third and avoid “complacency”.
Forest’s home form was a huge factor behind their success in avoiding relegation last season, accumulating 30 of their 38 points at the City Ground, while their form on the road was ranked the worst of all 20 Premier League clubs, winning just one, drawing five and losing 13 of their 19 away matches.
Hopes of quickly rectifying their away form will no doubt be a tall order for the Tricky Trees, who follow up their tricky trip to Arsenal with challenging visits to Man United, Chelsea and reigning champions Manchester City. Forest head into Saturday’s fixture having lost more Premier League games against Man United than against any other opponent, while they last beat the Red Devils back in 1994 – a 2-1 win at Old Trafford.