Erik ten Hag explains Man United line-up as Sancho returns to squad for Nottingham Forest second leg in Carabao Cup semi-final

Erik ten Hag has explained his line-up decision ahead of Manchester United’s second-leg semi-final clash against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup.

The United manager has put out another strong side despite having a 3-0 advantage going into the game after explaining why he prefers to rotate less despite the amount of fixture congestion.

Wout Weghorst leads the line for a fifth consecutive game since moving to the club earlier in the month. Anthony Martial returns to the bench.

Jadon Sancho is also finally back in the squad and could appear from the bench during the encounter.

Meanwhile, Fred starts in midfield alongside Casemiro in place of the injured Christian Eriksen. New loan signing Marcel Sabitzer will be watching on from the stands after not completing his visa processes in time.

Alejandro Garnacho also steps in for Marcus Rashford on the right wing which gives the English international a well-earned rest.

“We have to win games to keep the progress going and to keep the momentum we have to win this game and take new steps,” Ten Hag told MUTV.

“Luke [Shaw] was ill, now he is fit and back in the team, which is good. Rapha [Varane] is back, which is also good. Fred is in the team and Tom Heaton is in the team – we have some rotation but also we want to keep our routines.

“This is the first step [for Martial and Sancho] – back in the matchday squad. Now making further steps. Hopefully we can bring them on but first it’s about winning the game and making decisions and winning the game.”

Should Ten Hag’s side progress to the final, they will be facing Eddie Howe’s Newcastle side. They beat Southampton in the semi-final to book their place in their first final since 1999.