Man Utd suffer second major injury blow after Eriksen news as Ten Hag confirms absence

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Scott McTominay will not be available for Wednesday's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest - and could be out for longer than expected.

United were handed a huge blow earlier in the week, with the club announcing that the ankle injury suffered by Christian Eriksen against Reading last weekend will rule him out for around three months.

Ten Hag dipped into the market on deadline day, bringing in midfielder Marcel Sabitzer on loan from Bayern Munich until the end of the season.

Although according to ex-Liverpool star Dietmar Hamann, the Austrian is not a like-for-like replacement for Eriksen, the 28-year-old should prove to be a valuable addition to United's midfield for the remainder of the campaign.

But whilst he could be in immediate contention to take on Forest on Wednesday, McTominay will not be.

Man Utd suffer McTominay blow

The Scotland international missed out on the FA Cup clash against Reading due to what was described as a 'minor injury'.

Ten Hag said he hoped McTominay would be back in time to face Forest, but could not confirm if that would be the case.

However, speaking in his pre-match press conference, the Dutchman has confirmed the 24-year-old has not recovered in time. But in even worse news for United, Ten Hag has suggested McTominay could miss at least two more weeks, which would rule him out of the upcoming Premier League clashes against Leeds (twice) and Crystal Palace.

He could also be a doubt for the first leg of United's Europa League play-off round tie against Barcelona on February 16.

Ten Hag said (via UtdDistrict): "Christian Eriksen is now out for the coming part of the season, and then also Scott McTominay is not available I think also for the coming week, two weeks, maybe even longer."

United have a packed fixture schedule in February, with seven games set to be played across the month.

And while McTominay has not been a regular starter this season following the signing of Casemiro, his presence as a rotational option is still key for United. He filled in for the Brazilian in the 3-2 defeat to Arsenal last month, after the former Real Madrid star received a one-match suspension for five yellow cards.

His absence, therefore, may prove to be a key blow for United as they compete in four different competitions this month.