"Sunday's Premier League programme kicks off at Old Trafford as Manchester United and Nottingham Forest lock horns in the penultimate round of the 2025/26 season. With a top-five finish already in the bag, Michael Carrick can now calmly focus on steering United to their first third-place finish since 2022/23, as they sit six points clear of fourth-placed Liverpool after last weekend's draw."
"In one of Man Utd's weakest attacking performances under the 44-year-old, Sunderland held the Red Devils to a scoreless stalemate at the Stadium of Light, restricting them to a disappointing 0.57 xG. On a more positive note, Carrick's side registered only their second clean sheet in their last nine league outings, as they wait for Matthijs de Ligt's return from a lengthy injury lay-off."
"There's hardly a better place than the Theatre of Dreams for United to rediscover their attacking spark, as they've won seven of their eight home league matches since Carrick's arrival in January (L1). Furthermore, they will be aiming to extend a strong run of form, having suffered just one defeat in their last 18 home league fixtures at the end of the season, recording 13 wins and four draws in that period."
"At the same time, the Red Devils could secure back-to-back clean sheets in the Premier League for the first time since September 2024, though it would require them to end a poor run of conceding in five straight home games. Whether Forest could throw a spanner in the works remains to be seen, but the recent history of this fixture suggests Man Utd cannot afford to underestimate their upcoming rivals."
Manchester United play Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford in the penultimate round of the 2025/26 Premier League season. Michael Carrick has already secured a top-five finish and can focus on achieving United’s first third-place finish since 2022/23, with the team six points clear of fourth-placed Liverpool after a draw last weekend. United were held scoreless by Sunderland, producing only 0.57 xG, and recorded just their second clean sheet in nine league matches. Matthijs de Ligt is expected to miss the remainder of the 2025/26 season after surgery for a back problem. United have won seven of eight home league matches since Carrick’s arrival and have suffered only one defeat in their last 18 home league fixtures, while Forest’s recent record suggests United must avoid underestimating their opponents.
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