Ten Hag Is Dizzy, Comes To Nottingham MU Without 3 Core Players

Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag (@ManUtd_ID)

JAKARTA - Coach Erik ten Hag had to think hard when Manchester United lost three of the main players who became pillars when they traveled to Nottingham Forest without their three pillars Sunday, April 16 at 22.30 WIB.

The three pillars are Marcus Rashford, Leandro Lopez and Raphael Varane. Rashford's absence is a major blow because so far members of the England national team are the Red Devils' top scorers this season.

Without these three pillars, coach Erik ten Hag certainly has to rack his brain to face MU's fairly busy schedule.

MU may be able to win against Nottingham who are materially far below. But Ten Hag also had to think about the next game.

After fighting Nottingham, United also still have to meet Sevilla in the second leg of the Europa League quarter-finals and some of the remaining matches in the Premier League including against Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.

Ten Hag troops should not often slip again in order to seize the top four positions to secure Champions League tickets.

Nottingham Forest remains without a number of players due to injury. Cheikhou Kouyate, Renan Lodi, Gustavo Scarpa and Emmanuel Dennis had to be seen in their condition before this match.

Serge Aurier is still in doubt but will be judged before this match and may be available in certain capacities.

In the Manchester United camp, Donny van de Beek is absent for the remainder of the season due to a knee injury. Casemiro returns from punishment and can be played. The Brazilian is predicted to play from the first minute to duet with Marcel Sabitzer in front of four defenders. Alejandro Garnacho is absent due to an ankle injury.

Two defenders who are usually mainstays at the heart of the defense Raphael Varane and Leandro Martinez were replaced with injuries against Sevilla.

Duets from France and Argentina cannot appear in this away party. Erik ten Hag will certainly make changes to the defense with their injuries.

MU supporters may not be happy to see Harry Maguire going down as a starter in the heart of defense.

He was the one who scored an own goal so that United only drew 2-2 when they hosted Sevilla in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday.

But Ten Hag had no other choice but to field the former Leicester City player. At least the stock of the centre-back makes Ten Hag likely to feature Luke Shaw--who used to play on the left side of the defense-- being Maguire's duet partner at the heart of defense. Total Malacia, who also scored an own goal against Sevilla, will guard the left. Meanwhile Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the right.

Scott McTominay is injured but is likely to be fielded in this match although it may not be a starter. You probably won't change the formation in the front row. Wout Weghorst will be the sole spearhead and supported by trio Antony, Bruno Fernandes, and Jadon Sancho.

Meanwhile, Forest appeared in this match after nine games without a win after losing four of their last five Premier League games. However, they have only lost once in their last 11 games at City Ground.

MU took action on Thursday night against Sevilla in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals. They let their 2-0 lead disappear and only drew 2-2.

What was more worrying than the result was the injuries of Leandro Martinez and Raphael Varane who played in their 15th away game this season.