Carabao Cup rules explained: Can Dean Henderson play for Nottingham Forest against Manchester United in semi-final

After Manchester United were drawn against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup semi-final, there was one question on everybody’s lips: can Dean Henderson play in the games?

The United loanee has been one of the best players for the newly promoted Premier League club this season and had some more heroic moments in Forest’s quarter-final win against Wolves.

Henderson saved twice in the penalty shootout to ensure The Garibaldi reached their first domestic cup semi-final since 1991/92.

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He left United on loan in the summer after saying it was “criminal” he was left to sit on the bench in the previous campaign.

But, with him currently being one of Forest’s most important players, United supporters are wondering if he can face The Reds.

Can Dean Henderson play against Manchester United?

The shot-stopper was unable to play the recent fixture between the two due to Premier League rules, however, each and every competition is slightly different.

In the Carabao Cup, rule 6.3 states: “Players registered on a temporary basis will not be eligible to play unless the Club holding his full registration gives its written consent (also subject to any restrictions on the number of loan players prescribed by applicable Premier League Rules or League Regulations).”

This ultimately means that Henderson’s fate lands in the hands of those at Old Trafford.

It’s very unlikely that The Reds give consent for their on-loan goalkeeper to play the fixture due to his importance for his on-loan club.

Read More: All the details of Manchester United’s clash vs Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup semi-finals

When told about the rule after their semi-final victory, Forest manager Steve Cooper couldn’t hide his disappointment.

“Only just thought of that. Got me on the spot there,” he said, shortly after the win. “It is unfortunate. That has put a bit of a dampner on it.”