Manchester United have an excellent chance to boost their Champions League qualification hopes after their top-four rivals dropped points against Aston Villa and Bournemouth today.
Villa have been in tremendous run of form under manager Unai Emery in recent months and they continued the good work with a convincing 3-0 win over Newcastle United at Villa Park.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth stunned the Tottenham Hotspur faithful with a stellar performance. The Cherries secured a dramatic 3-2 victory after Dango Quattara’s 95th-minute winner.
Both clubs have done a big favour for United in their top-four pursuit and they must now capitalise with a victory against Nottingham Forest on the road tomorrow.
The Red Devils have beaten Forest in each of their three meetings this season but tomorrow’s game presents a different challenge with several key players missing.
Both Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane are sidelined with foot injuries while Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho are also out with groin and ankle concerns.
There are also doubts over the fitness of Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay. Hence, United won’t be at full strength but this should not be an excuse for dropping points.
On paper, United are overwhelming favourites to pick up another win. Anthony Martial has the chance to impress up front after delivering a wonderful assist against Sevilla.
A victory tomorrow will send United to third in the standings, three points clear of Newcastle United.
Most importantly, the Red Devils can increase the distance between them and fifth-place Tottenham to six points. They would still have a game in hand over the London side.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
