Luke Shaw deals a blow to Man Utd as he misses Nottingham Forest Carabao Cup clash with illness

LUKE SHAW is a doubt for Manchester United’s FA Cup game against Reading after missing the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final game against Nottingham Forest through illness.

The England international was due to retain his place in defense for Wednesday night’s trip to the City Ground but was absent from the starting XI.

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His absence raised concerns about a possible injury, a notion manager Erik ten Hag quickly dispelled.

When asked if Shaw was injured or not, the Dutchman said: “No, illness.

“It’s hard to say how that will develop.

“We have to wait and see how this develops in hours and days.”

Tyrell Malacia is likely to replace Shaw at left-back should he not shake off his illness before Reading’s visit on Saturday.

Shaw’s absence played no part in United’s clash with Forest on a bitterly cold night at the City Ground.

The Red Devils got a foothold in next month’s final with a 3-0 win over the Premier League contenders.

Goals from players of the moment Marcus Rashford and Wout Weghorst in the first half shook the hosts.

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And Bruno Fernandes scored in the final minute of regular time to give them the win – and probably the passage to Wembley.

Ten Hag said of his squad’s performance: “I’m happy with the performance and I think we controlled it for 90 minutes.

“There was a moment that could have changed the game and we need to improve there, but overall we controlled it.

“They changed the system and we didn’t expect that. That can’t happen.

“That’s still a moment where we need to learn and improve as a team if you want to be at the top. These moments shouldn’t happen.

“I know it’s him [Rashford] is capable of. He has a really good goal record. We created more good chances. It was a real striker’s goal.

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“We almost let them come into play and we cannot allow an opponent to come back into play when we started so well.

“We totally dictated it, then it can change in a moment. We must avoid that.

“I think in the second half we were a lot more composed and we went after them. It was a lot better.

“We had already planned the replacement. Marcus Rashford did his job and scored another goal so we were in a good position.

“Yes, we have to play a game.

“We have to do the same, prepare and make a good game plan. The players have to be focused.”