BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton has dropped his scoreline prediction for Manchester United’s forthcoming FA Cup clash against Nottingham Forest at City Ground.
Manchester United defeated Wigan 2-0 in the third round of the FA Cup at the DW Stadium last month before beating Newport County 4-2 in the fourth round.
Erik ten Hag’s men came within touching distance of the FA Cup last season, only to lose 2-1 to crosstown rivals Manchester City in the final at Wembley in 2023.
United were undefeated in 2024 until Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Fulham at Old Trafford, with Erik ten Hag coming under criticism for his side’s display.
Ahead of the Premier League match against Fulham, United were undefeated in their last seven matches across all competitions since the start of January.
United boss Ten Hag is aiming for a top-four Premier League finish this season and the Dutchman is also keen for his side to make progress in their FA Cup campaign.
The Red Devils faced Nottingham Forest last December and Nuno’s men defeated United 2-1 in their Premier League clash at City Ground.
Sutton on Man Utd and Hojlund injury
BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton insisted that Manchester United failed to impress against Fulham without the presence of injured striker Rasmus Hojlund.
Rasmus Hojlund has been in the form of his life in recent weeks for United and the 21-year-old Denmark striker could miss a run of fixtures for his side due to injury.
Sutton added that Marcus Rashford offered little in the absence of Hojlund against Fulham, with the United star “barely” having a kick of the ball at Old Trafford.
Speaking in his column for BBC Sport, he said: “When it comes to predictions, Manchester United are my new Chelsea – I get all their results wrong.
“I honestly don’t know what to expect from Erik ten Hag’s side. Even when they were on a winning run, they were not controlling games.
“I backed United to win at the weekend too, but the worst thing about their home defeat was that Fulham fully deserved the three points.
“Nottingham Forest beat United at the City Ground at the end of December, and they have still got a goal or two in them although their league form since then has not been great.
“In contrast, United offered little against Fulham without the injured Rasmus Hojlund to lead their line. I put Marcus Rashford in my Fantasy team, and he barely had a kick.”
Sutton’s prediction for Forest vs Man Utd
Sutton believes that Nottingham Forest and United’s fifth-round FA Cup tie at City Ground will culminate with a penalty shootout to settle the result.
The 50-year-old TNT Sports pundit and commentator predicted a 1-1 scoreline before United knock Forest out of the FA Cup with a win on penalties.
“United are good on the counter, but they need someone to finish their chances, and Hojlund is such a big miss,” Sutton continued.
“This tie feels like it going to be very close, and it could go the distance, but I think United will find a way to edge it.
“I don’t know why, because there is more pointing towards it going the other way – I guess this is probably why I get so many United scores wrong.”
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