Erik ten Hag explains Luke Shaw absence against Nottingham Forest | OneFootball

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Stretty News

·25 January 2023

Erik ten Hag explains Luke Shaw absence against Nottingham Forest

Article image:Erik ten Hag explains Luke Shaw absence against Nottingham Forest

Manchester United are getting ready to face Nottingham Forest in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie, with the teams minutes away from getting underway at the City Ground.

Erik ten Hag is aiming to get United back to winning ways, with the Dutchman’s side winless in their last two games after they conceded late goals against both Crystal Palace and Arsenal.


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The Carabao Cup could be United’s best chance of silverware this season and Ten Hag, as he has done all season, showed his reluctance to rotate in the competition by naming another strong team.

Just three changes have been made from the game against Arsenal, with Victor Lindelof, Tyrell Malacia and Casemiro replacing Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay.

Speaking ahead of the game, Ten Hag has confirmed that Shaw misses the game against the newly-promoted side due to illness.

“He’s ill. Illness,” he told the official Manchester United website when quizzed on Shaw’s absence.

Ten Hag was also pressed on the need to rotate the squad due to the high volume of games coming up, with the Reds set to play 10 games in the next 32 days. United are also the only Premier League team still in four competitions.

“We rotate but slightly rotate,” Ten Hag said. “As you said, we take this serious. Also, in the line-up, we need a strong selection to beat Nottingham Forest because it’s a strong team.

“It’s a team with energy so you have to be good but always, you have to make it your game. Before you come to that point, you have to invest a lot.”

SN’s verdict… Thankfully, United are well-stocked in some positions and the arrival of Malacia has eased United’s dependence on Shaw. Malacia was one of United’s outstanding performers in the memorable derby win over Manchester City earlier this month.

Raphael Varane is offered the chance to recover whilst Casemiro returns after serving a one-match suspension. The Brazilian was sorely missed against Arsenal and his presence on the pitch will immediately be felt.

Ten Hag will be hoping Shaw recovers in time for the return leg at Old Trafford where, if everything goes according to plan, United seal their place in a domestic cup final for the first time since 2018.

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