Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane will not feature for Manchester United against Nottingham Forest, while Harry Maguire has been struggling with illness.
United’s Premier League season resumes on Tuesday following the conclusion of the 2022 World Cup as they welcome Steve Cooper’s side at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils have somewhat of a defensive dilemma with centre-backs Martinez and Varane having not yet returned to the club after deep runs in Qatar with their international sides, as Argentina beat France in the World Cup final.
It is also unclear if fellow centre-back Maguire will feature after Ten Hag revealed he had been hit with an illness, although the Dutchman did confirm that the England international was back in training and that he was ‘happy’ with him.
United beat Championship side Burnley in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday – with midfielder Casemiro partnering Victor Lindelof in central defence.
Ten Hag spoke to United’s website on Monday to provide a team news update ahead of the clash against 18th-placed Forest and said: ‘The feeling is good.
‘[Most] players from the World Cup are back, are integrated again and you feel they are excited.
‘[They had] massive impressions there [in Qatar], but now they are back, and you feel their energy.
‘They are looking forward to the restart [of the Premier League]. We had some problems with illness like Harry Maguire, but he was back on the training pitch today so I’m happy with that.
‘Returning from Rapha Varane and Licha Martinez, they are not there [back at United] but we hope on their comeback [soon].’
United are fifth in the Premier League table ahead of the restart and are three points behind fourth-placed Tottenham with a game in hand.
Following their clash with Forest, United will face Wolves and Bournemouth before the derby against Manchester City on January 14.
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