Manchester United made several changes against Sunderland. Some were enforced and others were down to experimentation.
With third place almost secure, there is an ‘end of season vibe’ around Manchester United’s final few matches.
This certainly fed into Michael Carrick’s team selection against Sunderland.
Noussair Mazraoui, Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount, Amad, and Joshua Zirkzee all came into the side. Injuries dictated some of these selections.
During the drab 0-0 that followed, it was hard to make a case that any of the quintet put in a strong case to start the next game.
Here is a breakdown of what lies ahead for Manchester United’s match with Nottingham Forest.
What is your verdict on Diogo Dalot’s 2025/26 season?
Diogo Dalot in for Noussair Mazraoui
We expect Diogo Dalot to return for Manchester United’s final game of the season at Old Trafford.
United are unbeaten under Michael Carrick with Dalot in the line-up. There have only been three matches he has not started – and United have failed to win all three.
While United kept a clean sheet at the Stadium of Light, Mazraoui was unable to deliver the type of performance that suggested he should keep his place.
Casemiro in for Mason Mount
Mason Mount was deployed as an emergency midfielder with Casemiro omitted as a precaution due to fitness, and Manuel Ugarte also injured.
There is next to no chance that Casemiro will miss his farewell game at Old Trafford – so this is pretty straightforward.
The only question is whether the Brazilian will score and take his season goal tally to 10 for the first time in his career.
What is your message to Casemiro ahead of his final home game at Old Trafford?
Do you think it will be a scoring farewell for Casemiro?
Lisandro Martinez or Ayden Heaven?
Carrick made a defensive change at the Stadium of Light that he did not need to make.
Ayden Heaven was left out in favour of a returning Lisandro Martinez, following his suspension.
The decision for the Forest game is tricky. Heaven has been excellent in recent weeks and did not deserve to drop out against Sunderland.
Martinez played his part in keeping a clean sheet, so a tricky decision lies ahead. It’s hard to know which way this will go.
Amad or Bryan Mbeumo?
Amad was recalled to the starting line-up against Sunderland. He has been in and out, selected to begin two of the previous four games.
Bryan Mbeumo was given a rare rest. The issue is that neither of them have been in particularly great form lately.
It is more likely that Mbeumo will be recalled to face Forest, however, if Benjamin Sesko is not passed fit then Amad could get a reprieve, with Mbeumo starting up front.
Benjamin Sesko or…?
Through his excellent form in 2026, Benjamin Sesko has reached a point where he will start if he is fit.
Unfortunately he missed the Sunderland game due to a shin injury he aggravated against Liverpool after being fouled by Ibrahim Konate.
Sesko will be pushing to return for the final home game of the season.
But if he is not ruled fit enough, we do not expect Joshua Zirkzee to replace him this time after a miserable performance against Sunderland.
Mbeumo would be a more likely replacement, with it very possible that Zirkzee has blown his final chance.
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