Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson says he is backing Manchester United to return to winning ways against Nottingham Forest this afternoon.

The Red Devils were poor versus Tottenham last time out and, while Merson believes that Forest can cause them problems, he feels that Erik ten Hag’s side will do enough to get the three points:

“Manchester United aren’t playing very well at the moment, and I don’t think the manager knows what his best team is just yet. Nottingham Forest have pace on the counter and Man United are vulnerable at the back. In a difficult patch, however, you’d want a game against Forest at home, and I think United should be able to win this match.”

Merson has gone with a 3-1 win to the home side, which seems like a fair prediction. As United have looked poor defensively so far this campaign, you wouldn’t back them to keep a clean sheet, but Forest are not exactly great at the back either.

Forest’s record on the road is very poor

United’s opponents this weekend have been pretty terrible away from home since returning to the Premier League last year.

In their first season, they won just 1 game, drawing 5 and losing 13 times, having also conceded 44 goals. Things haven’t started any better for them this campaign, They let in another 2 in their first away fixture against Arsenal earlier this month.

United will be without some key players

It was confirmed this week that both Mason Mount and Luke Shaw will be absent due to injuries. Mount has a thigh problem and won’t return to action until after the next international break, Shaw, meanwhile,  has a muscular injury and won’t be available for several weeks.

There are no less than eight players on the treatment table at the moment, and we haven’t even reached September yet.

You can watch a preview of the match between United and Forest here on Shots! TV.