Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest prediction, odds and betting tips
Manchester United will be looking for their second win of the season when they host Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest odds
Find the latest match odds for Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest. Odds are provided by our best reviewed football betting sites.
Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest tips
- Man Utd to win and both teams to score at 7/4 with Betfair
- Marcus Rashford to score any time at evens with bet365
- Over 10.5 corners - 10/11 at 22/25 with Unibet
Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest predictions
Manchester United have work to do.
After finishing third in the Premier League last term, the goal this season is to get closer to the top of the table.
Winning the title would be a big ask given the strength of Manchester City and Arsenal in particular, but United must continue to progress after a summer in which they have spent more than £150m on new signings.
The early signs are that there is still plenty of room for improvement. Erik ten Hag’s team might have three points to their name, but they could easily have zero.
Even the most ardent United supporter would admit that the 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in gameweek one was not an accurate reflection of the match
United were the inferior side at Old Trafford and were fortunate to pick up maximum points.
Five days later they were beaten 2-0 by Tottenham Hotspur on the road. United were the better team in the first half but they lost control after the break and were deservedly defeated.
Ten Hag wants more additions before the transfer window closes on September 1, but United could be forced to stick with what they have.
There are plenty of good players within the group, yet this team is not functioning efficiently as a collective.
Ten Hag will be looking for a much-improved display when Nottingham Forest come to town this weekend.
📝Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest betting tips
Manchester United will not have everything their own way against Nottingham Forest, but they should still emerge victorious.
Manchester United to win and both teams to score - 7/4 (Betfair)
The principal problem Manchester United have had up to now is in midfield.
In both of his side’s matches this season, Ten Hag has fielded Casemiro as the holding player with Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes ahead of him.
In theory Mount is expected to get behind the ball when United are out of possession, but he is not suited to playing in a double pivot.
Casemiro has often been left too exposed at the base of the engine room, and the Brazilian’s decreasing mobility is becoming an issue.
Christian Eriksen may well be introduced for this game against Nottingham Forest, although the Dane is not exactly renowned for his defensive discipline.
Scott McTominay would bring more robustness to the centre of the park, but Ten Hag does not seem to rate him.
If United stick with the same midfield three, Forest will have opportunities on the counter-attack.
Steve Cooper’s side do their best work in transition, so do not be surprised if they create chances in open play.
United should prove too strong overall, not least because Forest have a dismal away record, but goals at both ends is a distinct possibility.
Marcus Rashford to score any time - Evens (bet365)
Marcus Rashford has made no secret of the fact that his favourite position is on the left-hand side of the forward line.
However, the England international has been deployed through the middle in both of Manchester United’s games in 2023/24.
Rasmus Hojlund is currently injured and may not be available for action until after the September international break.
It could take the summer signing a while to settle at Old Trafford. Hojlund is only 20 years of age and he has never played for a club of United’s size.
Hojlund has only made 87 appearances in his senior career, so it would be a mistake to place too much expectation on his shoulders.
Rashford may therefore have to get used to playing as a central striker for a while. It is not where he does his best work, but the United forward should still score plenty of goals.
Thierry Henry was a master at drifting out to the left from a central role, and Rashford may look to follow suit this season.
Forest struggle to keep opponents out away from home. They conceded two goals at Arsenal on the opening weekend, while their backline was breached 44 times on the road last term - more than any other team in the division.
Over 10.5 corners - 10/11 (Unibet)
Manchester United should have plenty of possession on Saturday. Nottingham Forest will be happy to cede control of the ball as they attempt to hit their hosts on the break.
Matt Turner will probably be very busy in between the posts for Forest, who lost 3-0 in this fixture in 2022/23.
There were 18 corners in that match, split equally between the two teams. Meanwhile United’s meetings with Wolves and Tottenham each contained more than 11 corner kicks.
So too did Forest’s 2-1 defeat by Arsenal in gameweek one and their victory over Sheffield United by the same scoreline the following weekend.
With all that in mind, bet365’s price looks like a steal. United alone could easily get into double figures for corners as they seek a handsome victory to get off and running for the campaign.
📺How to watch Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest
- Location: Old Trafford, Manchester, England.
- Date and time: Saturday 26 August 2023, 3pm.
- How to watch: Not being shown live in the UK.
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