Erik ten Hag could unleash a new-look Manchester United attack vs Nottingham Forest

Just as everything was beginning to look rosy again for Manchester United, the injury curse the club has been plagued by all season has stuck its foot in again.

After losing Lisandro Martinez to a knee injury in the 3-0 win over West Ham United on February 4, United have since lost Luke Shaw and Rasmus Hojlund to muscle problems. Shaw is facing an 'extended period' on the sidelines while Hojlund could miss up to three weeks' worth of action.

While United have not had too much difficulty finding a like-for-like replacement for Martinez, finding suitable cover for Shaw and Hojlund has not been so simple. Victor Lindelof deputised at left-back while Marcus Rashford moved into the centre of the front-three against Fulham on Saturday.

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Neither player blossomed, both failing to provide the level of cover manager Erik ten Hag had hoped for. At left-back, United are still without Tyrell Malacia, who is Shaw's understudy, due to a knee injury and Anthony Martial is unable to step into the void Hojlund has vacated because he underwent groin surgery last month.

It means United, both at left-back and up front, are relying on players to step out of their natural positions. It has reached the point where Ten Hag is having to put square pegs in round holes.

Despite the injury crisis and the reduction in the number of players United have available, it has not made Ten Hag's job of picking his starting line-up any easier. Certainly not in attack, anyway.

Prior to Hojlund picking up a muscle injury ahead of the defeat to Fulham, United's front-three had reached the stage where it