Erik ten Hag reveals triple Man Utd injury blow ahead of Nottingham Forest & Man City games

Michael Plant
By Michael Plant
Published 28th Feb 2024, 05:00 BST
Erik ten Hag gave an injury update on Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane and Bruno Fernandes.Erik ten Hag gave an injury update on Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane and Bruno Fernandes.
Erik ten Hag gave an injury update on Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane and Bruno Fernandes.

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Manchester United could be down to just four fit defenders at the City Ground.

Erik ten Hag has given a concerning injury update ahead of a pivotal week for Manchester United.

The Red Devils face Nottingham Forest on Wednesday in the fifth round of the FA Cup - the only competition still available this season - before the Manchester derby on Sunday. United have fresh three injuries to contend with in the build-up to the former, with Harry Maguire definitely ruled out of the trip to the City Ground.

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"We have some question marks in our squad," Ten Hag told MUTV. "Harry Maguire will not be available. Bruno [Fernandes] is doubtful. Also Rapha Varane is doubtful."

With Maguire out and Varane potentially absent, it could leave United with just four senior defenders against Forest. Ten Hag may have to name a back four of Diogo Dalot, Willy Kambwala, Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof in the FA Cup tie.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are also missing, which could raise the number of unavailable defenders up to six.

As for Fernandes, the Portugal international has missed just two games this season, a Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace in September and the trip to Anfield in December which he was forced to sit out due to suspension. In fact, Fernandes has played in 93 of Ten Hag’s 98 games in charge and, incredibly, has never missed a United game through injury. 

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With the United skipper a doubt for Wednesday’s game, Ten Hag will most likely deploy a three-man midfield of Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo and Scott McTominay. Elsewhere, Mason Mount, Anthony Martial and Rasmus Hojlund are out through injury, with United suffering a spate of recent problems after several long-term absentees returned in January.

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