Team news update for United v Forest

Tuesday 31 January 2023 13:15

Erik ten Hag has provided a team news update ahead of Manchester United's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford.

United are in a strong position and will be odds-on favourites to progress to the Wembley final after last Wednesday's 3-0 victory at The City Ground - Marcus Rashford, Wout Weghorst and Bruno Fernandes were among the goals in the East Midlands.

Nevertheless, there is still work to do to book a place in the showpiece event, and the Reds will have to cope without midfielder Christian Eriksen, who has featured in all but one of our 32 competitive games under Ten Hag this season.

Unfortunately, it is likely to be late April or early May before we see our no.14 in action again, after the ankle injury he suffered against Reading in the Emirates FA Cup.

Eriksen injury update

 Article

The club provides the latest on the ankle problem sustained by our influential midfielder.

"Of course, he is disappointed about [it], we are disappointed about [it]. It happens in top football, you have to deal with it," said Erik, of the news, in his pre-match press conference. However, the boss suggested the squad has players who can fill the gap.

In better news, the manager revealed that Anthony Martial and Jadon Sancho could make a return to the matchday squad for Forest's visit.

Martial hasn't featured since departing the Manchester derby at half-time earlier this month, while Sancho's absence dates back to October.

Although the availability of our attacking pair will come as a welcome boost to supporters, Scott McTominay's spell on the sidelines - he missed the win over Reading - is set to continue.

“We have some issues,” Ten Hag told club media on Tuesday.

“I think tomorrow that Anthony Martial and Jadon Sancho will return in the game squad, but Scott McTominay will still be absent.

“I think also the next game [against Crystal Palace] he will be absent. We have to see how that process will go. And for the rest, I think everyone is fit.”

It remains to be seen whether Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw will be ready to face Steve Cooper's side, with the full-backs having struggled with injury and illness respectively recently.

Donny van de Beek is a long-term absentee for United, with the Netherlands international midfielder ruled out for the rest of the season following knee surgery.

Carabao Cup 2022/23: Forest 0 United 3 Video

Carabao Cup 2022/23: Forest 0 United 3

Goals from Rashford, Weghorst and Fernandes put the Reds in a commanding position after the semi-final first leg…

FOREST TEAM NEWS

Morgan Gibbs-White will miss the game with the ankle injury he suffered during the first leg, while Jack Colback and Ryan Yates are to be assessed following a bout of illness in the camp.

Loanees Dean Henderson, who is injured anyway, and Chris Wood are ineligible to play for the visitors, while Taiwo Awoniyi, Giulian Biancone and Cheikhou Kouyate are long-term absentees.

Forest have benefited from an extra few days’ rest, as they were eliminated from the Emirates FA Cup early and did not play at the weekend.

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