The end of the season is getting near, and Manchester United are in big trouble. On paper it looks great, since coach Erik ten Hag won Carabao Cup in his first year, he is in the quarter-finals of the Europa League and still can win the FA Cup. But in reality, the team squandered the 2-0 lead against Seville, they have not yet secured the Champions League place for next season, their ownership status is still murky and what is worst of all, they have injuries mounting ahead of crucial matches.Manchester United have faced Nottingham Forest three times this season.Man Utd 3-0 Nottingham Forest Nottingham Forest 0-3 Man UtdMan Utd 2-0 Nottingham Forest pic.twitter.com/2pARGHCwAQ— 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐚’𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫 (@CantonasCoIIar) April 15, 2023 It all started with good news, as Christian Eriksen came back from injury much earlier than participated (he was supposing to miss next three months), and even Anthony Martial was fit again, but then the wheels started to turn off. So far, the Red Devils played 50 games in all competition and the fact that they are still playing on three fronts has taken its tools on players. With seven games still to come in 22 days, there is now a growing pile of issues which can make United crumble. For starters, their best scorer Marcus Rashford is injured and will miss a few weeks. His 28 goals and 10 assists were crucial in some games and the Red Devils basically don’t have a scorer like this on their ranks this season. The next on the list is Bruno Fernandes with 10 goals, but he is the penalty taker as well, and he is suspended for the second game with Seville.Bad foot, bad football: Lisandro Martinez’s season is overIn defense there are problems too. Malacia and Maguire have both scored own goals in a 2-2 draw at Seville, but other players are injured, so Ten Hag can’t count on them. His starting 11 defenders Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez face injuries ahead of the future games. The former French international is doubtful for the Nottingham Forest game, while the Argentinian is out for the season. When we add already injured Luke Shaw, Ten Hag is missing three out of his four starters in defense, and the main striker on offense. Maybe he will figure something out for today’s weak opponent Nottingham Forest, but it will be tough in other games, since they are facing the likes of Tottenham, Seville, Aston Villa and Brighton.Sabitzer is a big hit at Old Trafford, but nobody knows where he’ll play next seasonThe only good news for the Dutch tactician comes from the middle of the field. All players are healthy, and what’s most important, Casemiro has served his suspension. United have lost only three games that he has started, keeping 14 clean sheets along the way, and have scored at least three goals on 12 occasions, with the 30-year-old proving decisive at both ends of the pitch. Bayern loanee Sabizer is in form as he scored both goals for United in a 2-2 draw with Seville, while Eriksen can always add an assist or even a goal.PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 31SaturdayAston Villa – Newcastle United 3-0 (1-0)/Ramsey 11, Watkins 64, 83/Southampton – Crystal Palace 0-2 (0-0)/Eze 54, 68/Chelsea – Brighton 1-2 (1-1)/Gallagher 13 – Welbeck 42, Enciso 69Everton – Fulham 1-3 (1-1)/McNeil 35 – Reed 22, Wilson 51, James 68/Tottenham – Bournemouth 2-3 (1-1)/Son 14, Danjuma 88 – Vina 38, Solanke 51, Outtara 90+5/Wolverhampton – Brentford 2-0 (1-0)/Costa 27, Hwang 69/Man.City – Leicester 3-0 (3-0)/Stones 5, Haaland 13(p), 25/Sunday16.00: (6.25) West Ham (4.10) Arsenal (1.63)18.30: (4.90) Nott.Forest (3.60) Man.Utd. (1.79)Monday21:00: (4.70) Leeds (3.75) Liverpool (1.79)***odds are subject to change
