Manchester United will be looking to make a winning start to the restart of the Premier League campaign when they face Nottingham Forest on Tuesday evening.
Erik ten Hag's side progressed to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup last week with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Championship side Burnley, with Christian Eriksen and Marcus Rashford both getting on the scoresheet. The Reds will clash with Charlton Athletic in the next round of the competition in January.
United defeated Fulham in their last Premier League match thanks to a late winner from youngster Alejandro Garnacho. The 18-year-old scored in added-time to ensure the Reds remained three points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur with a game in hand.
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Ten Hag named a strong side against Burnley in the cup, but several players who were in action at the World Cup in Qatar are expected to return to the starting line-up for the top-flight clash against Steve Cooper's side.
David de Gea was tipped to start against the Clarets, but United opted to go with on-loan goalkeeper Martin Dubravka in between the sticks. The Slovakian shot-stopper struggled against Vincent Kompany's men and is almost certain to drop out for De Gea for the match against Forest. He was not included in Spain's World Cup squad and will be desperate to return to competitive action.
Ahead of the Spaniard, it is likely to be a much-changed back-four. With Diogo Dalot missing the Burnley clash through injury, it could mean successive starts for Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back. The Englishman was solid against the Championship side and has been backed to have a future at Old Trafford. Meanwhile, Tyrell Malacia started at left-back last week, but Luke Shaw - who impressed for England in the Middle East - could back recalled to the starting line-up.
In the heart of the defence, Victor Lindelof is almost certain to start with both Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane still missing. He is likely to be joined by club captain Harry Maguire, despite the centre-back missing the win over Burnley through illness. The 29-year-old featured in every game for England at the World Cup and showed signs of rediscovering his best form.
Casemiro should return to the base of midfield after playing in defence in the Carabao Cup tie. The Brazilian performed well as a centre-back, but Ten Hag will be keen to have him slightly further up the pitch. Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes both started against the Championship side and are expected to continue against Forest.
In attack, United are likely to go with what many consider to be the strongest forward line. Antony came off the bench last Wednesday, while Rashford and Anthony Martial were included in the starting line-up. The trio have combined for nine Premier League goals so far this season.
With Cristiano Ronaldo having recently left Old Trafford, the Reds are looking to recruit a new forward in the January transfer window.
Predicted line-up vs Nottingham Forest: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Casemiro, Fernandes, Eriksen; Antony, Martial, Rashford.
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