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Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest: Carabao Cup preview, team news & predicted starting XI

Manchester United will face Nottingham Forest this week in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie.

United have a foot in the final after picking up a 3-0 win in the first leg and will be looking to finish the job here.

Forest have a mountain to climb after their first leg result and need something spectacular to advance to the final.

The Red Devils have beaten Forest eight times in a row and will be looking to extend the streak this week.

When and where will the game take place?

After their FA Cup clash last weekend, United will return to Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

Match Preview

Manchester United

United have enjoyed a strong cup campaign as they look to end their five-year trophy drought.

They produced a strong showing in the first leg, with Marcus Rashford and Wout Weghorst getting on the scoresheet in the first half before Bruno Fernandes wrapped up the win late in the game.

All three players featured in United’s 3-1 win over Reading in the FA Cup last Saturday and could be rested on Wednesday.

Christian Eriksen picked up an injury at the weekend, joining Diogo Dalot, Anthony Martial and Donny van de Beek on the injury list, while Jadon Sancho continues to work his way back to action.

Nottingham Forest

Forest showed flashes of brilliance in the first leg and even got on the scoresheet with the score at 1-0 before VAR ruled out their goal.

However, they struggled to impose themselves in the game and will be looking to produce a much better performance at Old Trafford this week.

Morgan Gibbs-White was Forest’s best player in the reverse fixture but picked up an injury in the second half and will miss Wednesday’s game as a result.

The Englishman joins a fairly lengthy injury list for the visitors that already includes Dean Henderson, Taiwo Awoniyi, Cheikhou Kouyate, Moussa Niakhate, Omar Richards and Giulian Biancone.

Players to watch – Fred vs Scarpa

After fielding a strong XI against Reading last time out, Erik ten Hag should rotate his team this week with the likes of Fred coming in.

The Brazilian has been largely used as a squad player this season but has done so very well. He came off the bench to score in FA Cup on Saturday and could be rewarded with a start this week.

Gustavo Scarpa has quickly settled into life at Nottingham Forest. He was lively in the reverse fixture last time out and will be looking to replicate that on Wednesday.

Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest Predicted XI

Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Tom Heaton; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia; Casemiro, Fred; Facundo Pellistri, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho; Wout Weghorst.

Nottingham Forest (4-3-1-2): Wayne Hennessey; Serge Aurier, Joe Worrall, Willy Boly, Renan Lodi; Orel Mangala, Danilo, Remo Freuler; Gustavo Scarpa; Brennan Johnson, Emmanuel Dennis.