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.
