Erik ten Hag

Ten Hag explains team to face Forest

Sunday 16 April 2023 16:02

Erik ten Hag has elaborated on the three changes he has made to his team, ahead of our Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

With both Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez injured during our 2-2 draw with Sevilla on Thursday evening, Erik has opted to bring in both Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire, with the latter taking the armband for today's clash against Steve Cooper's side.

Elsewhere, there is just one further change with Diogo Dalot coming in at left-back in place of Tyrell Malacia, as the Reds bid to climb back into the top three of the Premier League this afternoon.

19-year-old Marc Jurado is also included in a senior matchday squad for the first time, with Luke Shaw continuing his recovery from his latest setback. 

Ten Hag: Forest is a test of our character Video

Ten Hag: Forest is a test of our character

The boss explains why Malacia is missing and what he expects from youngster Marc Jurado, who starts on the bench...

Speaking to MUTV prior to kick-off in Nottinghamshire, the boss explained how he has full belief that both Lindelof and Maguire can step up to perform at the levels expected of them.

''As you say, they played often together, they are experienced and they know what the demands are,'' he told MUTV's Stewart Gardner.

''We are really confident and believe they will give a strong performance.''
 
With Malacia not included in the matchday squad, Ten Hag was keen to provide an update on the Dutch international given his omission at the City Ground.

''He has a sore knee and already he was struggling in the week. Today it was too bad to start.''

His absence opened the door for youngster Jurado to be involved for the first time in a senior squad, with Ten Hag adding: ''It is not only about experience, he is there because he has to contribute.''

Jurado was of course part of our Under-18s FA Youth Cup winning squad last season, as has made 20 appearances for our Under-21 side in Premier League 2 during the 22/23 campaign.
Which player in Forest's XI do you think will pose the biggest threat?poll

Which player in Forest's XI do you think will pose the biggest threat?

THE TEAMS

Forest: 
Navas; Felipe, McKenna, Niakhate; Williams, Frueler (c), Danilo, Lodi; Gibbs-White, Awoniyi, Johnson.

Substitutes: Hennessey, Worrall, Mangala, Shelvey, Lingard, Toffolo, Surridge, Dennis, Ayew.

United: De Gea; Dalot, Lindelof, Maguire (c), Wan-Bissaka; Casemiro, Fernandes; Antony, Sabitzer, Sancho; Martial.

Substitutes: Butland, Williams, Jurado, Eriksen, Fred, Iqbal, Pellistri, Elanga, Weghorst.

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