Ten Hag is worried that Man Utd will lose the main central defender pair

Varane had to leave the field from the first half of the Europa League quarter-final first leg on the evening of April 13, due to an unspecified injury. Martinez left the field in the 86th minute, due to a leg problem.

When asked about the risk of losing the main central defender pair in two matches against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League this weekend and the quarter-finals of the Europa League in the middle of next week, coach Erik Ten Hag replied: "Probably. Martinez will be absent. before Nottingham. We are waiting for more diagnostic results. But I have talked, he is fine and calm."

Ten Hag also reassured fans that Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw are good alternatives to Varane and Martinez. Before the 2-2 draw with Sevilla on the evening of April 13, Man Utd lost Marcus Rashford due to a muscle injury. When asked about the possibility of the England striker returning to play the second leg, Ten Hag replied: "There is a chance, but I cannot confirm it at the moment".

Man Utd soon led Sevilla 2-0 in the quarter-final first leg of the Europa League. Midfielder Marcel Sabitzer scored both goals for the "Reds" in the 14th and 21st minutes. However, the home team could not protect the advantage while losing the main central defender pair.

Sevilla shortened the score to 1-2 in the 84th minute, from an own goal by Tyrell Malacia. After Martinez was injured in the 86th minute, Man Utd had to play with 10 players because they ran out of substitutions. They had to pay with Harry Maguire's own goal in the 90+3 minute.

"We played short due to Martínez's injury, but the two goals conceded came from really unlucky situations," said coach Ten Hag. "What can you do? Sometimes you have bad and unlucky days. Tonight is not our night."

In the second leg next week, Man Utd need to win at Sevilla's field. If they can, Ten Hag's teachers and students will enter the Europa League semi-finals to meet the winner of the Juventus - Sporting pair. Juventus is leading Sporting 1-0 after the first leg.

Man Utd are ranked fourth in the Premier League with 56 points from 29 games, three points ahead of Tottenham and playing one less game. They need to win Nottingham in the next round to protect the position. Newcastle also have 56 points after 29 games, but ranked third due to having a better difference than Man Utd.