Nottingham – Manchester Utd : Preview & Prediction
The appointment of Nuno Espírito Santo as Nottingham Forest manager has not had the desired effect on the team’s campaign, as a 4-2 defeat to Aston Villa at the weekend left the Tricky Trees just four points above the Premier League relegation zone. Perhaps the FA Cup can provide a welcome distraction as Forest enter the fifth round for the second time in a decade, but considering they will face 12-time champions Manchester United, it seems hard to imagine a scenario where they can qualify.
Forest at least have some recent bragging rights over United, having beaten them 2-1 in the most recent Premier League clash between the two in 2023. That ended a 12-match winless run (E1, P11), but a repeat performance will surely depend on Nuno’s men improving on their previous performances in the FA Cup this season, needing a replay and extra time to beat third division opposition in the third round before beating Championship side Bristol City on penalties in the round of 32.
Manchester United enjoyed a seven-game unbeaten run after that defeat at Forest, but Erik ten Hag’s men came back to earth with a heartbreaking 2-1 loss at home to Fulham on Saturday. Another worrying performance and a growing injury list may have the travelling faithful fearing the worst here, but the Red Devils are rarely eliminated at this stage, advancing in each of their last 13 FA Cup fifth round ties. The last time they were eliminated was in the 2005-06 season.
A first meeting with Forest in this competition since January 1990 should also fuel the fire, as that was the game in which Mark Robins scored the famous goal that saved Sir Alex Ferguson’s job. With rumors rampant about Ten Hag’s future, perhaps a hero can step up to ease the pressure on the Dutchman as United look to win a sixth consecutive away game, something they last achieved in 2019.
Key Battle: Forest attacking midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White scored at the weekend for the first time since netting against Blackpool in the third round of this competition, while he also scored the winner in his side’s win over Manchester United in December. He will have to contend with marking from the ever-impressive Kobbie Mainoo, who has scored both of his goals this season away from home, including one in United’s FA Cup fourth-round win over Newport.
Key fact: None of the six previous meetings between these two sides in the FA Cup have ended in goals for either team.
Nottingham – Manchester Utd : Betting Tips
Manchester Utd – Win Odds: 2.25
