How Manchester United could line up against Nottingham Forest

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag should name a strong starting XI for Wednesday's EFL Cup semi-final first leg with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

The Red Devils are sure to be without Donny van de Beek and Axel Tuanzebe for the contest, while Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial and Diogo Dalot are also unavailable.

Ten Hag's side will host Reading in the FA Cup at the weekend, so the Red Devils boss ought to save his rotations for the visit of the Royals and stick with a largely first-choice starting lineup on Wednesday.

Such a move could see David de Gea fend off competition from Tom Heaton to start in goal, as Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane form the centre-back pairing for the all-Premier League contest.

Dalot's hamstring injury means that Aaron Wan-Bissaka's place is not in any real danger, but one change at left-back could see the fresh legs of Tyrell Malacia preferred to Luke Shaw.

Casemiro is back from a Premier League ban and should displace Scott McTominay in the engine room, while Christian Eriksen ought to hold off the threat of Fred to start alongside the ex-Real Madrid man.

Man United gave Arsenal plenty of scares in their 3-2 loss to the Gunners on Sunday, so an unchanged forward line could see Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Wout Weghorst link up once more, although Alejandro Garnacho will push to demote the latter.

Man United possible starting lineup: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Malacia; Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, Fernandes, Rashford; Weghorst