Manchester United’s trip to Nottingham Forest brings with it a tinge of nostalgia as the two sides face off in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semifinal.
Forest’s long-awaited return to the Premier League has breathed new life into the club as they aim to recapture their glory days at the City Ground.
This tie is a replay of the 1992 League Cup final, which United won 1-0 at Wembley Stadium, but only one of the two sides can reach the 2023 showpiece.
Below are the projected starting lineups for both teams based on the latest news leading up to this semifinal match.
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Nottingham Forest vs Man United lineups
Steve Cooper and Erik ten Hag are both looking to seal a day out at Wembley for their fans in February but they need to balance against the day job of the Premier League.
Forest have put some daylight between themselves and the relegation zone, with United pushing for the top four, and this clash offers a break from that.
Below are the projected starting lineups for both teams ahead of their match at the City Ground on January 25.
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Nottingham Forest starting 11
(4-3-1-2): Hennessey (GK) — Williams, Worrall, Boly, Lodi — Danilo, Freuler, Mangala — Gibbs-White — Johnson, Surridge
- Injured: Awoniyi, Niakhate, Richards, Biancone, Kouyate, Henderson
- Suspended: None
- Ineligible: Henderson, Wood
Forest boss Steve Cooper has overseen a positive change in Premier League form since the start of 2023, with four games unbeaten alongside progress to the semifinals of this competition.
He is likely to name a strong side for this fixture, although first-choice goalkeeper Dean Henderson is carrying an injury and is ineligible against his parent club anyway, with Wayne Hennessey set to fill in as his Wales international teammate Neco Williams returns at right-back.
Omar Richards, Taiwo Awoniyi and new signing Chris Wood are out, and Ryan Yates is a doubt due to illness, but Jesse Lingard will hope to be fit to make the squad against his old club.
Man United starting 11
(4-2-3-1): Heaton (GK) — Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Maguire, Malacia — Casemiro, McTominay — Rashford, Fernandes, Garnacho — Weghorst
- Injured: Martial, Van de Beek, Sancho, Tuanzebe, Dalot
- Suspended: None
Ten Hag faces a balancing act in the coming weeks, as United fight across four fronts in the second half of the season, and he is set to make major changes.
Tom Heaton and Jack Butland may hope to start in goal for the visitors, with Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia, Alejandro Garnacho and Anthony Elanga all vying to come in.
Diogo Dalot, Anthony Martial and Jadon Sancho — who all missed the defeat to the Gunners — have been ruled out, but Casemiro may get a start after sitting out the game at Emirates Stadium through suspension.
Nottingham Forest vs Man United live stream, TV channel
Forest fans have already seen two top-flight sides dumped out of the Carabao Cup at the City Ground this season, with Tottenham and Wolves eliminated, and United are in for a battle.
Fans from across the globe can check out all the action live with full broadcast details below:
| TV channel | Streaming | |
|---|---|---|
| USA | — | ESPN+ |
| Canada | — | DAZN |
| UK | Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football | Sky Go, NOW TV |
| Australia | beIN Sports 1 | beIN Sports Connect, Kayo Sports |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport 7 beIN Sports | beIN Sports Connect New Zealand |
| India | — | — |
| Hong Kong | Sports Station (Ch. 661), Sports Channel 601 | i Cable Sports LIVE |
| Malaysia | — |
— |
| Singapore | — | — |
UK: The game can be seen on Sky Sports’ TV and streaming platforms in the UK.
USA: This match is streamed on ESPN+ for subscribers in the USA.
Canada: Carabao Cup matches are streamed via DAZN in Canada.
Australia: Fans in Australia can follow the action through beIN Sports.