It will be interesting to see if Casemiro will be fit for the fixture after he was withdrawn following a knock to the head against Fulham.
Manchester United will be keen to bounce back from the weekend disappointment when they travel to Nottingham Forest for an FA Cup fifth-round tie. The Red Devils were stunned by a spirited Fulham in the Premier League last Saturday. The dramatic 2-1 win ended United’s recent good run of form. It was not a result many saw coming but the visitors produced a brilliant display from back to front to get the unlikely victory.
Hence, Manchester United will be keen to get a positive result in the FA Cup fifth-round contest against Nottingham Forest. It will be interesting to see if Casemiro will be fit for the fixture after he was withdrawn following a knock to the head against Fulham. Asked whether Casemiro is available for the cup fixture, Erik ten Hag, quoted on the club’s website, said in his pre-match press conference, “Yes. So, it was bleeding, so he had to come off. It was not to our advantage that he couldn’t continue the game, but he’s available for tomorrow.”
During his time at United, ten Hag has not been afraid to put his faith in young players who have shown massive potential. Apart from Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho, the manager has recently started to use Omari Forson and Amad Diallo. This meant that Antony has dropped down in the pecking order. Speaking about the same, the manager said, “First of all, I brought Kobbie Mainoo [into the team], and everyone was questioning. We are six weeks ahead and the same who were questioning are now telling: ‘He has to go in the England squad’. Same people. Garnacho… it’s the truth. I brought Garnacho [into the team]. ‘What is the manager doing? What is the staff doing?’.”
He added: “But they need time and so Omari came on and it’s not easy to come into that game because we didn’t play our best game. The team, then it’s also for him, not easy [to come into] but he plays a reasonable game. And I think he showed abilities, that he can be a player for the future. So, they need some time, but they also have to know in, top football, you don’t get time, you have to perform. And when you come in, you have to show it and, as a manager, I know they need the time. So, that is the paradox. I will give them the time because I believe in these players.”
Responding to a question about Antony’s situation, ten Hag stated, “The second question, Antony, I backed him for a long time and I know his abilities and he has great abilities, when he plays how I know from the past, he’s unstoppable. No defender can stop him because he’s one of the quickest players in the first 10 yards. So, when he plays that game, then he will perform. I’m sure and I’m very confident he will for the future, and I know, I’m sure he’s resilient, he’s a character and he will fight back. So, I back him in that place and he is now to wait for his chance and, once he’s there, he has to pick up.”
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