9 months ago
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MANCHESTER UNITED have been thrust deeper into their crippling injury crisis after Erik ten Hag revealed a triple blow of injuries.
The Red Devils are due to face Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup on Wednesday.
PAHowever, manager Ten Hag has revealed he will now be without Harry Maguire for the clash.
But the real kicker is Ten Hag could be without club captain Bruno Fernandes – who has seemed perpetually available for Man Utd since joining the club – after the playmaker it a doubt.
It comes after the Portuguese appeared to pick up a knock towards the end of the Fulham game at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Maguire’s centre-back partner for the 2-1 Fulham defeat, Raphael Varane, is also a doubt for the Forest game.
Speaking to Man Utd club media, Ten Hag said: “We have some question marks in our squad.
“Harry Maguire will not be available. Bruno is doubtful. Also Rapha Varane is doubtful.
“We have to watch and see what we will have and then pick a team, with the aim of course [of winning].
“It’s an FA Cup game, so it’s about win or lose. Black or white. We have to win and that should be our approach.
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“We have to show [character]. I know we can be at our best in the moment, where we are in such a moment in adversity, and we are staying together.
“I know the fans, we will be strong together. And we will go into that fight to win the game.”
The trio’s absence adds to an already extensive list of injuries which could leave Ten Hag without as many as 10 of his first-team players.
Rasmus Hojlund, Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, Anthony Martial, Mason Mount, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Tyrell Malacia are all already in the Carrington medical room with injuries.
Despite the news Ten Hag has told his squad they must stand up to be counted.
He added: “So when we were in the last couple of games, you have a bench and that is always, for a manager, it’s tough to disappoint players.
“Because there are players that can be starting XI players. In the moment there are setbacks like injuries or loss of form, you need such players.
“Also, for them, they can win their positions back.”
“We want them to be available to bring a performance and to help the team, to contribute. It’s only about winning.
“I know the characters you mentioned [Sofyan Amrabat and Scott McTominay] but also there are others, to help the team to win the games for us.”
In terms of who could now make the starting XI for Man Utd’s trip to the City Ground, there may be recalls for veteran and teen defender duo Jonny Evans and Willy Kambwala.
Fans were distraught about the news online too, with one saying: “We are out of the FA cup then.”
A second said: “Yeah we are going out of the cup.”
A third said: “We’re cursed.”
Another said: “Yeah cancel the rest of this season.”
While a fifth added: “When Bruno is a doubt you know its crisis.”
More to follow.
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