MY ACCOUNT
Steve Cooper has backed his stand-in goalkeeper to shine when Nottingham Forest head to Manchester United this evening.
The Welsh boss is without his first-choice stopper Dean Henderson, with the 25-year-old loanee ineligible to face his parent club at Old Trafford.
That means one of Wayne Hennessey or Jordan Smith will deputise, with Cooper expected to give the nod to his countryman.
On Henderson’s absence, Cooper explained: “We knew it was coming. It’s part of any loan agreement so it doesn’t come as any surprise.
“We’ve got some more than capable lads ready to play in goal for us when Dean doesn’t play.
“Wayne has huge experience, which he brings to the table every day anyway on the training ground, while Jordan has been here a long time too.
“Both add a lot not only to our goalkeeping department but also the culture in general.
“We’re looking forward to the game and whoever plays, they’re going to have to be at their best along with everybody else.”
Hennessey, 35, has a wealth of Premier League experience to call on having played at the top level for Wolves, Crystal Palace and Burnley during an impressive career.
He also retained the No1 jersey for his country in Qatar last month, where he was sent off against Iran — his last competitive outing.
Lingard returns
One man with Red Devils heritage hoping to start for the visitors is Jesse Lingard, who completed a permanent switch to the City Ground this summer.
Having left his boyhood club under a cloud, the 30-year-old midfielder has spoken about the contest presenting a chance for him to say goodbye to the Old Trafford faithful.
However, Cooper has stressed that the England international will need his primary focus to be on starring for his current employers.
Cooper said: “Jesse was there a long time and it was a big part of his upbringing in a football sense, playing in their academy.
“It’ll be an important day for him but at the same time, we have to concentrate on what we’re there to do as a team.
“He’s an experienced guy, he’s been there before so he knows that if he’s selected to play, then that’s what he’s got to do.”
Did you know?
United have won their last six meetings against Forest in all competitions, with this their first game against them since an 8-1 win at the City Ground in February 1999.
The visitors have won their final league game in just one of the last eight calendar years (two draws, five defeats), beating Wigan Athletic 1-0 at home in their last match in 2019.
United have lost just six of their 89 Premier League home games against promoted sides — winning 68 of them with 15 draws.
With just two points and a goal difference of -18, Forest have the worst away record in the Premier League so far this season.
They have scored just once in their seven away games so far, with Brennan Johnson netting in a 1-1 draw at Everton.
Erik ten Hag’s hosts have won four of their last five Premier League home games, keeping a clean sheet in each of the last three.
They last went four consecutive Old Trafford matches without conceding between February and June 2020.
