Eight players doubtful as Erik Ten Hag confirms double injury boost ahead of Nottingham Forest trip

The possibility of eight injured Manchester United players featuring is uncertain, but two may be able to play in Sunday's 4.30 p.m. City Ground match against Nottingham Forest.

Centre-backs Both Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez sustained injuries in Thursday's 2-2 Europa League quarterfinal match between United and Sevilla at Old Trafford, and both players are questionable for the Forest match.

Forward In addition to Alejandro Garnacho, who has already been out for five weeks with an ankle injury, Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford, and Scott McTominay, who was absent for United's encounter against Sevilla and is still a major doubt, all have injuries.

Donny van de Beek, a midfielder, will miss the rest of the season, and Tom Heaton, a goalkeeper, is recovering from a foot injury.


Discussing the prospect of any of his walking wounded - particularly Varane and Martinez - returning in time for Forest, United boss Erik ten Hag said: "I can't say in this moment. When we have news we will give it straight to you.

"Let's do the medical, a full assessment, the complete diagnosis. I have an idea, but I don't cause speculation. It's not even 24 hours so I don't have a complete diagnosis, so I can't tell in this moment."

But in a potential boost for United, both Shaw and McTominay could return at the weekend. Ten Hag added: "Yeah, [we could have players back], but we have to see."

"We have two sessions to go, so I don't know now, but it can be Scott and Luke will return to the squad. But not sure."

After defeating Liverpool this season and earning draws against Manchester City and Chelsea, Forest will be eager to win again at home. After nine games without a victory, they are currently in the relegation zone on goal differential.

Manchester United's manager Erik Ten Hag, however, is expecting a tough trip to City Ground but believes Man United can get results and eventually add another trophy at the end of the current campaign.

"I know what place they are [in] and we know what we can expect on Sunday. They are in survival mode and they will run for their lives. We have to be ready for that game," he said during his press conference on Friday.

"Yes, but I see [it] also [as] an advantage. We had more games but we are also [in] more routines, so we like to play and that will give the energy. I think [there are] many, many advantages and we want to go for silverware and we have to give energy. If we want to go and make the season a success we have to give energy."

Fans were annoyed that Erik Ten Hag had to substitute Bruno Fernandes during the Europa League encounter with Sevilla but the 53 year old Dutch tactician has defended his decision with a genuine reason.


"Because the next [time] Bruno was throwing the ball away [the referee] said: 'The next he is off.' And he saved him because the player from Seville did the same in the first half and got booked for it."

"Antony, finally, I think he started out but don't come [involved] in such circumstances, everything is going our way. Two-nil up, we are playing a good game, so don't go into individual battles with your opponents. It is not necessary. You [wind] up the opponent and [increase] the risk to get sent off. I don't want to take that risk and it's easy [to look back at it] afterwards."

"Where I come from, you call it 'You are looking a cow in the ass.' That is what we call it in my region from the Netherlands. That's easy [to look back in hindsight], but when he gets sent off, you tell me: 'Why don't you get him off, why did you take the risk?'"



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