Manchester United have been dealt further injury blows with Harry Maguire ruled out of tonight’s FA Cup clash with Nottingham Forest with Raphael Varane and Bruno Fernandes also doubts.
All three players played the full 90 minutes on Saturday as United fell to a dismal 2-1 defeat against Fulham – with Maguire levelling the game before Alex Iwobi’s late winner for the hosts.
The England international joins Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw on the injured list, unavailable for Wednesday’s fifth round clash at the City Ground. Varane is also a doubt ahead of kick-off, leaving United desperately short of options at centre-half.
Jonny Evans is available along with Victor Lindelof, who played out at left-back on Saturday with Shaw and Tyrell Malacia sidelined. Willy Kambwala, who made his Premier Leage debut in December, is also pushing for a starting role.
Club captain Fernandes is also a doubt after appearing to pick up a knock in the closing stages of Saturday’s defeat.
‘We have some question marks in our squad,’ Ten Hag told MUTV.
‘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.
‘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.’
Following Wednesday’s game, United head to the Etihad for the Manchester derby with City looking to inflict more misery on their neighbours.
In addition to the influential pair Shaw and Martinez, United also remain without Rasmus Hojlund, who suffered a muscle injury last week.
Mason Mount has still not returned to first-team training with Anthony Martial another long-term absentee.
Casemiro was forced off at half-time against Fulham after a clash of heads with Harrison Reed left him with a nasty cut that required treatment.
The Brazil international is available for tonight’s match.
