It feels like an eternity since Manchester United were in action, but the Red Devils will return tomorrow as they head up to Nottingham to take on the high-flying Nottingham Forest. Although the league is not important for United, given their season and position, they still must approach this game with the same concentration as they would in the Europa League, which is their only chance of silverware and European football next year.
All the talk this past week has been about transfers in and out of the club whereas the time has come for Ruben Amorim's men to do the talking on the pitch against a side who are full of confidence given their league position and success in the FA Cup on the weekend.
United's form heading into this game
It may surprise many but Amorim was nominated for the manager of the month. Admittedly there were only two games available to play in the Premier League, a draw with Arsenal and a win against Leicester City, but the Premier League experts decided that the Portuguese head coach had done enough to be noted for the work that he has done.
With those two Premier League fixtures, United looked more confident and showed more grace moving forward whereas it has looked slow and disjointed at times this season. However, sandwich that in with an unlucky draw against Fulham in the FA Cup and an aggregate win over Real Sociedad in the Europa League, and United look more confident on the pitch than they have done previously.
Nottingham Forest- The bubble is not bursting
Many thought in the Leicester City title winning season that they would slowly fade away into the sunset and not achieve anything. Although Nottingham Forest is not going to win the title, they are still looking for Champions League football and are just four points behind Arsenal in 2nd.
Although United's form has improved, Forest have been consistent and even over this tougher period of the season show no signs of letting up. They are currently on a five match unbeaten streak in the League and the Cup; includign an excellent win over Manchester City at home.
Nuno Espirito Santo's have gone 1-0 up in a league-high 22 matches this season meaning they start games well. Their attacking play of Chris Wood (who is doubtful), Morgan Gibbs-White, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and former United youngster Anthony Elanga will not be the backline for the rest of the game.
Can United grab their first back to back league wins?
It is completely gobsmacking that United have not won back-to-back Premier League games this season and they have the opportunity to change that on Tuesday night at the City ground. Like stated, the fluidity has looked better in the team and with Rasmus Hojlund finding the net finally there is hope he is going to go on a goalscoring run.
United will be wanting to avoid a repeat of the reverse fixture at Old Trafford where Forest won at Old Trafford for the first time in 30 years. A league double over United would be the first time it was done since Brian Clough was manager in 1992.
Who can standout for United?
These players are still auditioning and games in tough atmospheres like Forest's will prove who can play in those intimidating places where the crowd are on you like they are at the City Ground. When times need to be calm leaders like Bruno Fernandes and the ever-improving Matthijs de Ligt, these two players will be vital if United are to grab a win against the third-best team in the country.
With only a handful of games left for the Red Devils, it cannot be stressed how much they need to keep momentum going and they need to do so against Nottingham Forest tomorrow night.