Erik ten Hag will be without three players for Manchester United 's first trip to the City Ground since 1999.
It's nearly 24 years to the day since the Red Devils ran out 8-1 winners against soon-to-be-relegated Nottingham Forest, as the legendary Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored a record four goals as a substitute in only 10 minutes. Gone are those glory days, gone is Solskjaer as manager, and now it's Ten Hag tasked with bringing silverware to Old Trafford for the first time since 2017.
For this one, a blood-pumping Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, the Red Devils boss won't be able to call a trio of stars; Diogo Dalot, Anthony Martial and Jadon Sancho. While Dalot and Martial remain injured, having missed Sunday's gutting 3-2 defeat away to Arsenal, Sancho has only recently rejoined first-team training after spending two months on an individual training programme.
There'll be no contest in goal, with David de Gea almost certain to keep his place between the posts. The same goes for Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back, who's enjoying a run of games in Dalot's absence but must improve on his display at Arsenal which saw him come in for criticism from the likes of Roy Keane.
The same couldn't be said for Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez in the heart of defence, as each of them played well on an individual basis. Martinez even got a goal and has now wrestled back his place in the starting XI, having spent a period after his success at the World Cup sat on the bench.
The Argentine's spell as a substitute was because of Luke Shaw 's performance as a makeshift centre-back, but he's now back in his natural left-back spot and forcing Tyrell Malacia to watch from the sidelines. That could well be the role Christian Eriksen plays at the City Ground, too, with Fred pushing for a start and midfield general Casemiro returning from suspension.
Going forward, Alejandro Garnacho will be eager to get the nod on the right wing after two disappointing displays from team-mate Antony, both in Sunday's loss at the frustrating 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace last Wednesday. Marcus Rashford extended his ferocious run of form with a goal against Arsenal, continuing his talismanic role under Ten Hag.
Wout Weghorst is still waiting for his first United goal after two starts, but his influence has already shown by leading the press and demonstrating the kind of movement that the Red Devils require to trouble teams. For those not in the starting XI to face Forest, Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round tie at home to Championship side Reading presents another opportunity for minutes, with Ten Hag expected to rotate more thoroughly for that clash.
Have your say! What score will Notts Forest vs Man Utd be? Give us your prediction in the comments section.
The Dutchman's desire to win a trophy is clear, having got his hands on a winners medal six times while manager of Ajax and understanding the importance of silverware at United, amid their longest barren since between 1977 and 1983. "It's the best feeling you can have, winning a trophy," Ten Hag affirmed in his pre-match press conference.
"I have had the luck in my career to win some trophies and it's magnificent, especially for the fans. It's so great and I think the fans here have some experience of that, especially the older ones. In this period, Manchester United didn't win trophies and it's too long ago. We are aware of that fact and we have to do it again."
