Christian Eriksen and Harry Maguire will return when Manchester United and Nottingham Forest clash at City Ground on Sunday.
Manchester United will aim to leapfrog Newcastle United on the Premier League table when they lock horns with Nottingham Forest at City Ground on Sunday evening. And Erik ten Hag has new injury concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane are the latest absentees, with the duo sustaining injuries in the UEFA Europa League clash with Sevilla on Thursday. Martinez is out for the remainder of the season, but Varane might return before the campaign ends.
The two centre-backs have joined Tom Heaton, Donny van de Beek, Alejandro Garnacho, and Marcus Rashford on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag is sweating over the fitness of Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay.
During his pre-match press conference, ten Hag did not rule out Martinez for the rest of the season. And the update surrounding the Argentine and Varane only arrived by Saturday. Meanwhile, the Dutchman suggested Luke Shaw might be available this weekend.
He said, “No, sorry, [I do not know any more information]. It is not even 24 hours [since the Sevilla match] so I don’t have complete diagnosis. So I can’t tell [the severity of the injuries] in this moment. When we have news we will give it straight to you. But let’s do the medical, do their assessments and full diagnose, complete diagnose, and then we will give you the news.”
“But I think it doesn’t change in this moment. Are any players available that were missing? For Sunday, yeah, [they] could be. But we have to see. We have now two sessions to go of training, so I don’t know by now. But it can be that Scott and Luke return in the squad, but [we are] not sure.”
Shaw might not start despite ten Hag’s suggestions, with several crucial games left this season. So Tyrell Malacia will feature as the left-back, with Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof forming the central defensive partnership. Meanwhile, Diogo Dalot will be the right-back, with David de Gea taking his place between the sticks.
As for the midfield unit, Christian Eriksen will likely make his first start since recovering from his ankle injury. The Danish playmaker will replace Marcel Sabitzer as Casemiro’s partner in the double pivot. Speaking of Casemiro, the Brazilian international has completed his recent suspension.
Finally, the offensive unit might see one change, with ten Hag handing Anthony Martial some rest. Wout Weghorst should replace the Frenchman to spearhead the Manchester United attack. And Jadon Sancho and Antony will be the two wide attackers, with Bruno Fernandes reprising the no. 10 role.
Predicted Manchester United XI: de Gea; Dalot, Lindelof, Maguire, Malacia; Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Sancho; Weghorst
