Manchester United predicted XI to face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League

After a long-awaited six-week break from the competition, Manchester United are back in Premier League action against Nottingham Forest. 

This is just the second game for Erik ten Hag‘s side since the return of domestic football following the end of the winter World Cup in Qatar. 

On Wednesday night against Burnley, United showed the progressive signs implemented under Ten Hag during his brief tenure so far. 

Much like in their win against Burnley, Manchester United will hope to show the same comfortable display in their return to the top flight.

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This forthcoming fixture against Nottingham Forest is the start of a flurry of games in the new year, and offers United the chance to put themselves in good stead for the upcoming games over the festive period and beyond.

The Red Devils World Cup representatives are gradually returning to Carrington — Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro and Tyrell Malacia all exited Qatar in the quarter-finals stage and all started midweek under Ten Hag after their respective break once they were relived from World Cup duty. 

Lisandro Martínez and Raphaël Varane will still be absent from the first team, with the pair still taking their respective time off after their participation for their nations in the World Cup final.

Even if the boss evidently wants his first-choice centre-back duo back in the first-team picture as soon as possible, he will have to wait a further few days before he can re-install them in the back line.

Harry Maguire, who has suffered from illness in the last week, has been declared fit for the fixture on Tuesday. 

“We had some problems with an illness like Harry Maguire, but he was back on the training pitch today, so I’m happy with that,” the boss stated on the club website.  

Jadon Sancho remains a significant doubt as he continues to undergo a personal fitness programme.

Maguire’s inclusion should see Casemiro return to his traditional holding midfield position. Also, expectations are that first-team regulars David de Gea, Luke Shaw and Antony return to the starting XI after featuring on the bench during the midweek cup fixture.

Manchester United predicted XI (4-2-3-1)

De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw; Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, B.Fernandes, Rashford; Martial.