Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag could be without five players against Nottingham Forest as his centre-back conundrum continues.
Steve Cooper ’s side return to top-flight action on Tuesday at Old Trafford and will look to earn a surprise result as Man United deal with the after-effects of the World Cup. Ten Hag’s first-choice centre-back partnership, Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez were both involved in the World Cup final, with the former playing into extra time and the latter still celebrating Argentina’s triumph.
Man United resumed their season with a comfortable cup win over Burnley, much like Forest ’s 4-1 victory against Blackburn Rovers, but were forced to improvise at centre-back with holding midfielder Casemiro lining up alongside Victor Lindelof. Harry Maguire missed the cup tie through illness and the Man United manager was asked about the possibility of both Martinez and Varane facing the Reds.
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Responding to a question about Martinez’s availability, Ten Hag replied, "I can't answer that question now. He’s still celebrating in Argentina, in Buenos Aires, he's on the tour going around in Buenos Aires!
"I can understand that, it’s very emotional, very loaded when you win the World Cup [and bring it] into your country, it's magnificent, it's the highest you can achieve. But Licha Martinez also has to accept that on the 27th the Premier League will go on.”
Man United are expected to be without Jadon Sancho, who has not featured for the club since October, while Diogo Dalot picked up a hamstring problem during Portugal’s World Cup exit to Morocco. Varane was also subbed off with an injury late on against Argentina but his manager was less clear about his availability, instead sending an encouraging message to the veteran defender after France’s defeat.
"Varane, of course, is disappointed about losing the final but he can also be proud of being in the final again and all that he has achieved in his career is massive, as a team and a player, to win so many trophies,” Ten Hag added. "He is second and he can still be proud. Getting to the final is a big achievement because the level of the nations was so close."
