Tom Heaton says momentum is the reason Erik ten Hag has chosen a strong line-up to take on Nottingham Forest, despite holding a 3-0 advantage from the first leg of their League Cup semi-final clash.
Manchester United are on the brink of their first final since the 2021 Europa League showdown with Villarreal and their first domestic final since the 2018 FA Cup defeat to Chelsea.
Ten Hag has taken no chances with his line-up with few changes. Casemiro, Raphael Varane and Bruno Fernandes all retain their place while Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw also get the nod.
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One of the few changes sees Heaton come in for David de Gea for his second appearance of the season after featuring against Charlton in the 4-0 win over Charlton in the last round. De Gea started the first leg against Forest, keeping a clean sheet as Marcus Rashford, Wout Weghorst and Fernandes found the net.
Heaton says the side, though, are fully focused on the second leg as a singular match and admitted that the reason behind the strong line-up was down to keeping up the good momentum the club has achieved this season.
Speaking to Sky Sports, 36-year-old Heaton said: “We’re seeing it as a great opportunity to try and get to Wembley, but we’ve got to make sure we approach the game in the right manner tonight.
“We’re prepared. The first game’s gone, we’re looking at tonight as a single game and look to go and win it. Momentum is the right word.
“We’ve had some strong performances at Old Trafford recently and we’re looking forward to hopefully putting another one in tonight.”
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Fred, Antony, Weghorst and Alejandro Garnacho are the other starters as Rashford is benched alongside Jadon Sancho, who comes into the matchday squad for the first time since October.
Deadline day signing Marcel Sabitzer was not eligible to feature in the clash after signing after the competition’s required registration deadline.
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