Manchester United were without both Luke Shaw and Sofyan Amrabat for Tuesday's Premier League clash with Aston Villa at Old Trafford due to minor injury problems.
Shaw played the full 90 minutes of the 2-0 defeat to West Ham United on Saturday, while Amrabat was an unused substitute against the Hammers.
The pair were notable absentees from the squad that took on Villa, and Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag said ahead of the clash with Unai Emery's side that Shaw had picked up a knock against West Ham, while Amrabat suffered an issue during a training session.
"One took a knock in training and the other during the match. I don't think it's serious," Ten Hag told reporters ahead of the contest with Villa.
The duo now face battles to recover from their issues in time for Saturday's Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest, which will be the team's final match of 2023.
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In Shaw's absence, Diogo Dalot lined up at left-back against Villa, with the Portugal international available for selection after missing out against West Ham through suspension.
Meanwhile, Kobbie Mainoo, Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes played as the midfield three against Emery's side, who led 2-0 at Old Trafford courtesy of first-half goals from John McGinn and Leander Dendoncker.
However, Alejandro Garnacho scored twice in the space of 11 second-half minutes to level the scores, before Rasmus Hojlund's first Premier League goal secured all three points against Villa.
Ten Hag was full of praise for Hojlund after the match, with the Denmark international finally getting off the mark in England's top flight following his five goals in the Champions League.
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"Yes, of course, I have had several talks with him. And every time I pointed out; you scored for Denmark, a lot, you scored in the Champions League, so that's demonstrated ability. So you can do it, so believe in it and it will come. And I'm sure now the first goals in, he will net more," Ten Hag told reporters.
"Yeah, of course, when strikers don't score that's always a problem. But he has a strong character. He's so resilient, he's so determined.
"And so he has a big personality. And I think that is what a striker needs. And when you keep investing, the goals will come."
The victory moved Man United into sixth position in the Premier League table, five points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.
Ten Hag's side will travel to Forest in their final match of 2023 before taking on Wigan Athletic in the third round of the FA Cup on January 8.
Matt Law
