Nottingham Forest face Manchester United at the City Ground in the Fifth Round of the 2023-24 FA Cup.
Victory would see Forest reach the Quarter-Finals for the second time in three seasons, whilst Man Utd look to reach the last eight for a second consecutive season.
Team News
Forest have no fresh injury concerns to report after their Premier League defeat at Aston Villa.
Ola Aina, Willy Boly (both muscle), Ibrahim Sangare (knee), Nuno Tavares (unspecified) and Chris Wood (hamstring) remain absent.
Man Utd could welcome Casemiro into contention after the Brazilian only suffered a minor head injury in their defeat against Fulham.
Aaron Wan Bissaka (knock), Luke Shaw, Rasmus Højlund (both muscle), Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia (both knee), Mason Mount (calf) and Anthony Martial (groin) remain sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Forest host Man Utd at the City Ground on Wednesday 28 February at 7:45pm GMT, live on BBC1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Forest are unbeaten in five of six previous FA Cup meetings against Man Utd across five ties (W4, D1, L1).
- Man Utd are unbeaten in two of three previous FA Cup visits to Forest (W1, D1, L1).
- Forest have kept clean sheets in five of their six previous FA Cup meetings against Man Utd.
- Forest have kept just one clean sheet in their four FA Cup matches this season (W2, D2).
- Bruno Fernandes has scored four goals in four of Man Utd’s last five FA Cup matches (W3, D1, L1), only failing to score in a goalless semi-final against Brighton last season.
Prediction
Although their defence continues to be their weak point with just two clean sheets in 2024, Forest certainly can’t be underestimated because they do have goals in them as evidenced by a valiant but futile comeback attempt at Villa from 3-0 down.
Man Utd meanwhile clearly felt the absence of Højlund in a largely lacklustre performance against Fulham, but it is better to have had that display at the weekend because if it had come here then you would have to fear for Utd who now have a chance to adapt and produce a reaction.
Forest though did beat Utd here in the league in their last match of 2023 but given their defensive difficulties, they really need to score first or hope that Utd have one of their in-match defensive dips as is a regular case and capitalise clinically.
Nuno Espirto Santo’s Forest though should view Premier League survival as their priority especially with the prospect of a points deduction brewing, but if Utd are as weak as they looked against Fulham then Forest surely will take their chance.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 2-1 Manchester United
Result: Nottingham Forest 0-1 Manchester United
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