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Man Utd injury crisis worsens as Marcel Sabitzer pulls out minutes before Forest kick-off
Marcel Sabitzer has added to Manchester United's injury woes, withdrawing from the Nottingham Forest game in the warm-up.
Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag previews the Nottingham Forest game
Manchester United's injury woes have worsened after Marcel Sabitzer withdrew from the team to face Nottingham Forest minutes before kick-off. Christian Eriksen replaced the Austrian midfielder in Erik ten Hag's starting line-up at the City Ground as United eyed a third successive Premier League win.
The Red Devils' season suffered an almighty blow in midweek, losing first-choice centre-back pairing Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez against Sevilla in the Europa League.
Varane is set for 'a few weeks' on the sidelines, while Martinez will miss the remainder of the campaign after fracturing his metatarsal.
And Sabitzer has reportedly been dealt a groin problem, adding to Ten Hag's woes that have combined to create a crisis at Old Trafford.
After the in-form 29-year-old went down the tunnel in conversation with a United staff member, Eriksen and Fred started more vigorous warm-ups in preparation for potential call-ups.
The former then spoke to assistant Mitchell van der Gaag and technical director Darren Fletcher when it became apparent he was the replacement.
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In response to his late blow, the Dutchman handed Eriksen his first start since returning from a long-term injury absence of his own.
Young goalkeeper Nathan Bishop travelled as United's 21st man and was added to the visitors' bench, joining Jack Butland.
Sabitzer, Varane and Martinez only make up a cluster of Ten Hag's current injury problems at a crucial stage of his first season in England.
Tom Heaton, Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw, Scott McTominay, Donny van de Beek, Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford also missed the Forest game through injury.
United's battle for a top-four spot isn't the only thing on their plate in the closing stages of the campaign.
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On Thursday, the M16 giants travel to Sevilla for the second leg of their finely poised Europa League quarter-final.
Just days later, Brighton and Hove Albion await at Wembley Stadium in the FA Cup semi-finals.
Ten Hag will be satisfied with a top-four finish and the Carabao Cup as a start to his long-term project at United.
But his compiled injury worries could very easily contribute to a potential cup treble vanishing in smoke over the next week.
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