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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has blamed his side’s injury struggles for their defeat at the hands of Nottingham Forest on Saturday evening. The Red Devils were beaten 2-1 at the City Ground in a poor display that highlighted numerous issues within the squad.
Following their impressive comeback against Aston Villa in midweek, United were hopeful of building on that result and using the momentum. However, Nicolas Dominguez’s opener for Forest in the 64th minute was a stark reminder of the Red Devils’ big weaknesses.
United soon hit back through Marcus Rashford, with Alejandro Garnacho teeing up his teammate after capitalising on a mistake by Matt Turner, but it failed to spur the side on. Instead, Morgan Gibbs-White grabbed a late winner in the 82nd minute to pile further pressure on Ten Hag in front of INEOS’ Dave Brailsford.
Speaking after the match, the ex-Ajax manager blamed injuries, once again, for United’s defeat. Asked by Sky Sports what he believes the biggest issue at Old Trafford is at the moment, Ten Hag replied: “The injuries.
“Also some issues but mainly the injuries hold us back in the process. In January we have a lot of players returning so then our levels can be higher. Definitely [Dave Brailsford] will see we have our problems. You want to build on the last result but we have to change our striker.”
United were without strikers Rasmus Hojlund and Anthony Martial for their trip to Forest due to illness, with Harry Maguire, Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof, Mason Mount, Sofyan Amrabat and Tyrell Malacia also being forced to endure a spell on the sidelines.
