Manchester United confirm why Rasmus Hojlund is absent vs Nottingham Forest

Rasmus Hojlund is unavailable for Manchester United in their clash against Nottingham Forest, leaving Erik ten Hag without a recognised striker for the game.

Hojlund, 20, scored his first Premier League goal of the season after 15 games on Boxing Day as he completed a wonderful comeback for United in their 3-2 win over Aston Villa.

The Reds will be looking to build on that result in their final game of 2023 away at Nottingham Forest but will be without the Dane.

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It has been confirmed that Hojlund is unavailable due to illness and is not with the United squad at the City Ground.

Anthony Martial is also unavailable as he continues a battle with illness.

21-year-old Amad Diallo is included in a matchday squad for the first time this season after recently returning from a long-term knee injury sustained in pre-season and is rumoured to be starting the game.

Rasmus Højlund has scored six goals for Manchester United so far this season and is equal with Scott McTominay as the club’s top scorer.

Much has been made of his lack of Premier League goals so far this campaign, with the player only scoring his first in the competition during his 15th appearance. Meanwhile, Amad’s inclusion in the team is a much-welcome sight for fans.

Amad had to undergo surgery on his ankle during the summer after sustaining an injury against Arsenal in New York. He has been training with the squad for the last few weeks, and United’s final game of 2023 sees his return to the squad, and possibly his first few minutes of action in 2023/24.