Manchester United predicted line-up vs. Nottingham Forest as £60m man misses out

Manchester United haven’t got off to the best start this season. An unconvincingly narrow win over Wolves at Old Trafford was swiftly followed by a disappointing defeat away to Tottenham Hotspur, and quite a few players look out of sorts or, in the case of Mason Mount, out of position.

A home game against Nottingham Forest, who only narrowly avoided relegation last season, should be a good chance to build up a much-needed head of steam – at least on paper. Forest put in a very respectable display in defeat to Arsenal on the opening weekend, and then followed that up with a win against Sheffield United, so the visitors are unlikely to be a pushover, especially if United are still struggling to get to grips with their own tactical set-up.

Erik Ten Hag will also have to make at least two changes ahead of Saturday’s 3pm showdown – £60m signing Mount picked up a knock against Spurs and will miss the next couple of games, likely returning after the September international break, while Luke Shaw will now be out for “weeks” after a muscle injury. With that news in mind, let’s take a look at what that eleven might look like, and keep you up to date with all the other injury news before kick-off.

Goalkeeper & Defence

With Luke Shaw joining long-term absentee Tyrell Malacia on the sidelines, there’s a very real shortage of natural left-backs available to Ten Hag. Diego Dalot or Brandon Williams will have to fill in. Lisandro Martínez is presumed fit to play after a minor ankle injury threatened his place last weekend, while Harry Maguire, who missed the trip to North London, is fit again after a knock of his own, but is unlikely to get any further than the bench with United still hoping to offload the England international before deadline day. Thomas Heaton is also unlikely to feature thank to a calf strain.

Midfield

Mount’s absence means a minor reshuffle will be required, with Christian Eriksen the most likely to take his place in a straight swap. Scott McTominay, another play Ten Hag would prefer found a new home over the next week or so, will be the bench cover.

Kobbie Mainoo is out for the long term but there are no other question marks that we’re aware of in the heart of the park, so expect Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro to retain their places for the game at Old Trafford.

Forwards

The big question mark up front is when new signing Rasmus Højlund will be fit to play a part, but he’s not expected to be in consideration for another week at least. With Amad Diallo also out the question is whether Jadon Sancho or Facundo Pellistri can earn a start after both Antony and Alejandro Garnacho failed to impress in the first two games. Only Ten Hag knows how likely that is, but Garnacho would be the most likely to make way and Sancho may well get a chance to show what he can do.

Full predicted line-up

Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martínez, Dalot; Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes; Antony, Rashford, Sancho.