Erik ten Hag could be about to unleash his dream midfield at Manchester United

When Manchester United make the trip to Wigan Athletic on Monday night, they will do so in the knowledge that the FA Cup remains their only realistic hope of winning any silverware this season.

Currently eighth in the Premier League table, out of the Champions League and out of the Carabao Cup, United have one last shot at adding to their trophy cabinet this term. The Reds have lost 14 of their 28 matches in all competitions this season, meaning manager Erik ten Hag is under mounting pressure to turn their fortunes around.

Saturday's defeat to Nottingham Forest, particularly the manner of it, was as alarming as it was unsurprising. It marked a dismal conclusion to a dismal December.

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Following the defeat on the banks of the Trent, Ten Hag, not for the first time this season, cited the club's injury crisis as a direct contributor to their problems. Rasmus Hojlund's absence through illness took the tally of individual cases that have forced a player to miss a game this season through injury or illness to 35.

"The injuries [are the main issue]," said Ten Hag. "Also some issues, but mainly the injuries hold us back in the process.

"In January we have a lot of players returning, so then our levels can be higher. We had nine different partnerships in the back. It doesn't matter as well, the fans don't want to hear this, they want to see us winning and that is what we have to serve them."

Ten Hag, potentially, is making a rod for his own back. Essentially, he is gambling everything on United getting back to their best once they have recovered a crop of key players from injuries.

Among those poised to