Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag previews the Nottingham Forest game
Manchester United are set to start Diogo Dalot at left-back ahead of Tyrell Malacia for Sunday’s Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest, it has been claimed. The Red Devils go into the game looking to boost their chances of a top four finish. And whether they’re able to claim all three points remains to be seen.
According to mufcMPB, United’s back five will consist of David De Gea, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire and Dalot.
Four of those calls were certainly expected. Dalot at left-back, however, is a surprise.
United are currently easing Luke Shaw back into action, with the England international sidelined since a 1-0 win over Brentford earlier in the month.
Malacia started against Sevilla on Thursday night but looked flat in the disappointing 2-2 draw at Old Trafford.
And that may explain why United are willing to gamble.
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United are without Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez as they gear up for the weekend’s match at the City Ground.
They released a statement on Friday confirming the duo would be out for the foreseeable future, saying: “Lisandro Martínez has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after fracturing a metatarsal bone in his foot.
“However, the Argentinian defender is expected to make a full recovery in time to be ready for the start of next season.
“Lisandro’s defensive partner Raphaël Varane was substituted with an injury at half-time in the same game and is expected to be out for a few weeks.
“Everyone at Manchester United sends Lisandro and Rapha our best wishes for a speedy recovery.”
With the duo out, Lindelof and Maguire will start instead.
The pair were often deployed together when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ruled the roost, with the pair helping the club finish second in the Premier League table two years ago.
And Ten Hag, speaking ahead of the showdown, has called on the club’s squad players to step up in the absence of some of their bigger names.
“All clubs have to deal with having key players missing,” he said.
“Of course, you always want to play your best, especially when you are in the final stages of the season.
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“But when they are not available, others have to do it – and I think we proved it when they are not there.
“It is also the case that when players drop out others have to take over and take the responsibility.
“But if players are dropping out, then sometimes you do have to make compromises.”
And Ten Hag wants United to learn the lessons from their draw with devilla last time out, too.
“We are all human beings and can make mistakes, but we have to avoid making too many,” continued the Dutchman. “Certain players now have to step up to take the team and control the standards.
“I can only talk about negatives from the Sevilla game. We played some quite good football but you then have to manage the game.
“If you want to win trophies, you have to be smart. You have to stick to the plan and not allow an opponent to get back in the game.
“The players have to be aware that a game is over 95 or so minutes – and, yes, we still have a way to go.
“I am fully aware of it, but the team has to know. We need leaders in such moments. In many games I have seen that we have the passion and desire to bring tough games over the line.
“Against Seville, I didn’t see that. The team can definitely learn from it. We will talk about it and how we can avoid it in the future.”
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