Major blow for Man Utd as three players ruled out of Nottingham Forest clash

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag was dealt a major blow after three players were ruled out of the club’s clash with Nottingham Forest.

Forest host United in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final this evening.

With home advantage on their side, Steve Cooper’s outfit will be hoping to take the game to United in Forest’s first appearance at this stage of the competition since 1992.

Meanwhile, United have plenty of history in the League Cup, having won it five times.

However, the club are on their longest trophy drought in 40 years, having not claimed any silverware since beating Ajax in the 2017 Europa League final.

If United are to beat a much improved Forest side they will need to do so without three key players.

Ten Hag gives injury update

Ten Hag claimed tonight’s clash at The City Ground has come too soon for Diogo Dalot, Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial.

Sancho has not featured for United since October and had been undergoing an individual programme in the Netherlands throughout December.

While the winger has since returned to United training he is not yet available as he continues to build his fitness.

Meanwhile, Dalot was injured against Charlton Athletic in the previous round of the Carabao Cup while Martial has not featured for United since being substituted in United's 2-1 derby win over Manchester City earlier this month.

Ten Hag said: "The players who were not available for the Arsenal game - Dalot, Martial, Sancho - are also not available for tomorrow."

Elsewhere Axel Tuanzebe joined the group in training this week after his injury lay-off, while talismanic midfielder Casemiro is available for selection having served a one-match ban in the club’s 3-2 Premier League defeat to Arsenal.

Donny van de Beek is out for the rest of the season, following a knee operation.