A tactically naive United team missing several key performers at both ends of the pitch was carved open at will by a fast-breaking Fulham outfit on Saturday afternoon, and with the Cottagers’ blueprint to follow, Nottingham Forest could pile on the misery for the Red Devils.

United looked alarmingly one-paced and disorganised out-of-possession against Fulham at the weekend and their inability to plug holes quick enough on turnovers could be exposed by a Forest team with numerous rapid runners.

With Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw and Rasmus Hojlund already ruled out, the news that Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire and skipper Bruno Fernandes are also major doubts ahead of this evening’s tussle isn’t welcome, and United could be forced to name a very beatable-looking XI at the City Ground.

Forest have already toppled United at the City Ground this season when they deservedly ousted their visitors in the Premier League at the end of December (2-1) and a repeat result could be in the offing.

With Swede Victor Lindelof a watery presence as a stand-in left back and veteran Jonny Evans likely to be partnered by youngster Willy Kambwala at centre-half, United could hardly look more vulnerable and a virtually full-strength Forest could pounce.

With that considered, the hosts are worth picking up in the double chance market, while backing Forest to put over 1.5 goals past United for the third time this season also appeals.

United have conceded 117 shots in their last six fixtures combined and 20+ attempts in three of their last four assignments. With several key defenders sidelined for the visitors, Forest should have plenty of opportunities to strike.

Anthony Elanga will be rubbing his hands at the prospect of facing former Man Utd clubmate and compatriot Victor Lindelof this evening. Forest’s pacey winger is one of the Premier League’s quickest players, while Lindelof often looks like he is running in reverse, and Elanga could run his fellow Swede ragged.

22-year-old Elanga has managed to clock two shots on target in two of his last three appearances for Forest and the fleet-footed youngster, who will be determined to shine against his former employers, can be picked up at a generous price to lodge at least one accurate attempt again this evening.

Forest’s focal point in attack, Taiwo Awoniyi, was a real handful for the United defence when he mustered three attempts at Old Trafford back in late August and the powerful frontman could threaten again against a Red Devils’ backline short of several first-choice picks.

For United, the much-maligned Marcus Rashford is among the likelier candidates to deliver the goods in the shots markets despite his poor individual form.

The City Ground is a venue that Rashford seems to enjoy and the 26-year-old has impacted the scoresheet on two of his last three appearances there. With his confidence at a low ebb, another goal there might be beyond his reach later on, however, landing an attempt on target should be less of a challenge.

Rashford, who should be deployed as a central striker this evening, he has landed at least one shot on target in eight of his last nine appearances and he rarely hesitates to let fly when he gets a sight at goal.

Manchester United have been ceding territory more often than not on their travels this season and alongside losing the possession battle in each of their last three away games (v Luton, Aston Villa and Wolves), the Red Devils were outdone on the corner count in each of their last two assignments on the road.

In fact, only four teams in the Premier League have been conceding more corners per away game than United (7.31) this season and they could find themselves under the cosh again when they visit the City Ground later on.

For their part, Forest won fewer corners than their visitors in just three of their last ten fixtures on home soil and the Tricky Trees managed to win at least four corners in 90% of the same matches.

We expect Forest to play on the front foot against a patched-up United side this evening and the game’s final corner tally could reflect that. A target of over 3.5 corners looks like a modest hurdle to clear and Forest have been up to that task in nine of their last ten games at home.

Siding with Forest in the corner match bet stakes could also be another potentially profitable angle given United’s propensity for retreating into their shells in away fixtures.

20 fouls were committed and six cards were brandished when Nottingham Forest last hosted United in December, and that followed an equally abrasive clash between the sides before that at Old Trafford in August, when a whopping nine cards were handed out following a 26-foul frenzy in Manchester.

There was plenty of needle between the sides in both of their Premier League encounters and with scores to settle, this evening’s FA Cup showdown could crank up the heat on what feels like a simmering rivalry. As a result, it could be a smart move to back over 3.5 cards to land again against the backdrop of a heated FA Cup atmosphere.

Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White played with furious energy when he was carded against United at the City Ground in December and he was perhaps a little fortunate to stay on the pitch following some emotional protestations over the awarding of a free kick against him in the second half.

Elsewhere, United’s uncomfortable left-back Victor Lindelof is an easy pickup to commit 1+ fouls in Nottingham. The 29-year-old has next to no recovery pace and he routinely fouls his opponents when turned instead of attempting to race back.

Lindelof has committed a foul in three of his last four appearances despite starting only once and he should have real problems keeping tabs on Anthony Elanga this evening.