7M - 2026/5/17 19:30 Premier League Preview: Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest - prediction, team news, lineups

Old Trafford prepares for a significant encounter as Manchester United host Nottingham Forest in the penultimate game of the 2025/26 Premier League season on Sunday, May 17, 2026. With Michael Carrick now at the helm following Ruben Amorim's departure, the Red Devils are on the brink of securing a top-three finish, while Nottingham Forest arrive with their top-flight status already secured.

Recent Form and Standings

Manchester United currently sit 3rd in the Premier League table with 65 points from 36 games. Their recent form under Carrick has been formidable, especially at home, where they boast a 12-3-3 record. Before a recent goalless draw against Sunderland, United had strung together three consecutive wins, including a thrilling 3-2 victory over Liverpool.

Nottingham Forest, positioned 16th with 43 points, come into this game following a 1-1 draw against Newcastle United. While they were recently eliminated from the Europa League semi-finals, that hard-fought point against Newcastle officially guaranteed their Premier League survival for another year.

Team News and Predicted Lineups

The headline for Manchester United is the emotional farewell of Casemiro. The Brazilian veteran has confirmed he will leave the club this summer, making this his final appearance at Old Trafford. In a major boost for Carrick, both Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte returned to full training on Wednesday after missing the Sunderland trip. However, striker Benjamin Sesko remains a doubt with a knock.

Nottingham Forest may rotate slightly after a grueling European and domestic schedule, but manager Vitor Pereira will want to sign off the away campaign strongly.

Manchester United predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):
Lammens; Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Amad, Fernandes, Cunha; Zirkzee.

Nottingham Forest predicted lineup (3-4-2-1):
Sels; Williams, Morato, Murillo; Netz, Anderson, Dominguez, Hudson-Odoi; Gibbs-White, Elanga; Awoniyi.

Key Highlights and Pressure

Manchester United: The pressure is on to secure one more point to mathematically guarantee third place and fend off Liverpool. Their attack has been productive, scoring 63 goals this season, though a defensive record of 48 goals conceded suggests Forest could find openings.

Nottingham Forest: With the pressure of relegation gone, the Tricky Trees can play with freedom. Their challenge lies in managing fatigue after their deep European run. Forest have struggled on the road at times, and facing a Carrick-led United side that has won 7 of their last 8 at home will be a stern test.

Match Prediction

Given United's strong home form under Michael Carrick and the emotional motivation of Casemiro's farewell, the Red Devils are favorites. Forest's safety might lead to a more open game, but United's quality in the final third should prevail.

Predicted Score: Manchester United 2-1 Nottingham Forest