Match Today: Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest 01-02-2023 English League Cup

Manchester United have one foot in the League Cup final despite preparing for the semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest.

United, the hosts in this fixture, won 3-0 in the first leg and are expected to cruise with ease. Going into this fixture, United have won both of their matches coming after a 3-2 defeat by Arsenal at the Emirates.

They eliminated Reading from the FA Cup with a 3-1 win in their final game, but even in their fine run Manchester United have only managed one clean sheet in five games, that was against Nottingham Forest. Eight times in their last 10 matches, Manchester United's record Two or more goals, most of the goals in their games have come in the second half, 12 of the 17 have been scored in their last five matches.

Nottingham Forest were not playing in the FA Cup over the weekend and will be counting on the extra rest days to work in their favour as they look to overturn a 3-0 loss in the first leg.

Marcus Rashford's early goal in the first leg put Nottingham Forest on their feet and they are hoping to bounce back early here. They have failed to win in their last two matches - a loss and a draw, and they know they cannot sit out this game.

Just like Manchester United, they have clean sheets in their last five matches, both teams have scored in three of the five matches, three of their last five matches have scored more than one goal, they have not won their last two away matches but they have scored in four of their five away matches.

Nottingham failed to score in one of its last five matches. Both teams scored in four of Manchester United's last five matches. In the last five matches, Nottingham's net conceded six goals in the second half.

Manchester United have scored two or more goals in four of their last five games. Manchester United's last five games have seen 12 of their 17 goals scored in the second half. Nottingham Forest face a daunting task after their heavy loss at home and will be hoping for an unlikely shock here.

Manchester United scored most of their goals in the second half and Nottingham conceded mostly in the second half Eric ten Hag's side secured a safe passage to Wembley for next month's final against Newcastle United with such a convincing display on the city's ground they could afford to rest during Wednesday's game at Old Trafford.

Whilst United will, of course, not take Forest lightly, it is hard for them to ask for a better situation. Their home performances have been impressive throughout the campaign and it would take something extraordinary to see them knocked out at this point.