Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest Prediction: Cunha to get amongst it

Manchester United welcome Nottingham Forest to Old Trafford in the Premier League (12:30 BST, Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event) with their job largely done. Interim manager Michael Carrick is reportedly in-line for the big job and the ex-midfielder has ensured his side will be playing Champions League football next season if he takes it.

Forest have finally secured Premier League safety after some worrying months flirting with the drop. The Tricky Trees drew 1-1 with underwhelming Newcastle United last weekend, after Aston Villa dumped them out in the semi finals of the Europa League. Read on for my Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest predictions.

Team News

A shin complaint kept Benjamin Sesko out of the bore draw at the Stadium of Light. Joshua Zirkzee deputised in the Red Devils attack in that game, but Carrick might favour Bryan Mbeumo shifting into a line-leading role flanked by Matheus Cunha and possibly Amad Diallo.

Matthijs De Ligt remains sidelined with a long-term back issue that has kept him out since November. The club released an update on Friday afternoon to announce the Netherlands international has undergone successful surgery on the injury that will keep him out until the early weeks of next season.

Football Odds

Forest will be without Murillo and Ola Aina missing in defence. Talisman Morgan Gibbs-White is recovering from a head injury, but has been training in protective headgear. He is reportedly in contention to participate at Old Trafford.

Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest Odds

United are the favourites at 8/13 while Forest are marketed at 4/1. If you fancy the draw, your price is 10/3.

Bruno Fernandes is still searching for his record-tying 20th Premier League assist of the season. He is 17/10 to notch that assist in this game.

Under 2.5 total goals @ 11/8

For all the podcast echo-chamber talk of how much an extra place means in terms of prize money, realistically the race is run for both of these sides. United’s dramatic 3-2 win over Liverpool lent their clumsy draw with Sunderland an ‘after the Lord Mayor’s show’ feel.

Meanwhile, Forest saw their chances of a Clough-evoking European final trip extinguished by Europa League T-1000 Unai Emery. With safety in the bag for the Tricky Trees, this game is largely being played for pride. 

Both teams will try, but without the white-knuckle ride of European stakes, either qualification or progression, I can see this being a quiet affair.

United are without Sesko, which blunts their goal threat. Whether Zirkzee takes his place or Amad shifts Mbeumo outside, it is hard to see either permutation running up a cricket score.

Meanwhile, Forest’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle showed where their heads are at; either the World Cup or the beach, depending on nationality.

Matheus Cunha to score anytime @ 8/5

United’s Brazilian attacker has been among the goals recently. Cunha has registered in recent weeks against Chelsea and Liverpool. With Sesko possibly sidelined, it feels Carrick will lean on the 26-year-old to produce some more magic. 

Nine goals in 32 appearances is not a bad return from an Old Trafford winger. United fans have seen costly additions Antony and Jadon Sancho misfiring on the flanks in recent seasons while Marcus Rashford has spent the last two seasons on loan at Aston Villa and Barcelona. 

Cunha, along with fellow new boy Mbeumo, has been a welcome gust of fresh air and an important component of the Red Devils’ attack. Expect to see the Brazilian boy starring again on Sunday.

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