Manchester United have been dealt a triple injury blow this evening, with Erik ten Hag revealing to club media that he is dealing with more injury concerns ahead of the trip to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup fifth-round.
The manager spoke to reporters this afternoon ahead of the cup tie against Nottingham Forest. In terms of team updates, Ten Hag confirmed that Casemiro and Victor Lindelof would be available despite coming off with knows in the 2-1 defeat to Fulham on Saturday.
Ten Hag has provided a further update this evening after telling MUTV that Harry Maguire is now unavailable for the Forest clash, joining Rasmus Hojlund and Luke Shaw as recent additions to the list of side-lined players.
The England centre-back started at the weekend alongside Raphael Varane, however, the Frenchman is also a doubt for tomorrow night’s clash. That means Ten Hag will have to select his centre-back pairing from the following players: Jonny Evans, Willy Kambwala and Lindelof.
Meanwhile, Bruno Fernandes has a question mark over his fitness.
“We have some question marks in our squad,” Ten Hag told club media. “Harry Maguire will not be available. Bruno is doubtful. Also Rapha Varane is doubtful. We have to watch and see what we will have and then pick a team, with the aim of course [of winning]. It’s an FA Cup game, so it’s about win or lose. Black or white. We have to win and that should be our approach.
“We have to show [character]. I know we can be at our best in the moment, where we are in such a moment in adversity, and we are staying together. I know the fans, we will be strong together. And we will go into that fight to win the game.”
Ten Hag has faith that the players available in his squad can get the job done.
“So when we were in the last couple of games, you have a bench and that is always, for a manager, it’s tough to disappoint players,” he added. “Because there are players that can be starting XI players. In the moment there are setbacks like injuries or loss of form, you need such players.
“Also, for them, they can win their positions back.”
Ten Hag added: “We want them to be available to bring a performance and to help the team, to contribute. It’s only about winning.
“I know the characters you mentioned [Sofyan Amrabat and Scott McTominay] but also there are others, to help the team to win the games for us.”
Fingers crossed these players will be back to face Man City on Sunday.
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