Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has praised the squad which rescued three points against Villa at the weekend and will keep faith with the same group as he prepares to take on Forest on Saturday.
Goalkeeper – Onana
Andre Onana could make his final appearance for United before leaving to join up with Cameroon for the Africa Cup of Nations with Altay Bayindir or Tom Heaton likely to step in against Wigan next weekend.
Defence – Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Evans, Dalot
With Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez set for a return to first-team training in mid-January and Luke Shaw and Victor Lindelof still sidelined, Ten Hag will stick with the same four which landed victory against Villa.
Tyrell Malacia is another who is expected back in the middle of next month but until he returns Sergio Reguilon continues to provide backup at left back.
Midfield – Eriksen, Mainoo, Fernandes
Casemiro and Mason Mount are also expected back with a raft of players in the middle of next month which leaves Ten Hag sticking to the same names as at the weekend. Sofyan Amrabat and Hannibal Mejbri are also set for Afcon duty but will provide cover off the bench with Christian Eriksen and Kobbie Mainoo likely to start at the base with Bruno Fernandes operating in a forward position and Scott McTominay offering an option from the bench either as replacement for Fernandes or more likely Eriksen.
Attack – Garnacho, Hojlund, Rashford
Ten Hag hopes that Rasmus Hojlund’s first Premier League goal which completed the come-from-behind victory against Villa can be the first of many for the Denmark international and he will provide the focal point with Marcus Rashford operating on the left and man of the match with two goals against Villa, Alejandro Garnacho, operating on the opposite flank.
Rashford has scored just twice this season for United but there were flashes against Villa that he was approaching better form and with Anthony Martial still ill (now three weeks out) Ten Hag has limited options for mixing it up front.
Antony and Facundo Pellistri do give him cards to play from the bench as the game gets into the last half hour.
