Roy Hodgson makes frank admission ahead of Carabao Cup game against United

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Manchester United take on Crystal Palace next week in back-to-back games in the Carabao Cup and the Premier League.

The Red Devils picked up their first Premier League win since the August victory over Nottingham Forest and the hope will be that they can carry on their winning momentum.

With two games in a row against Roy Hodgson’s Palace, it gives Erik ten Hag a chance to rotate the squad as the return to the Champions League plays a key part in the Dutchman’s thinking.

Hodgson, speaking ahead of the game at Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup has made a frank admission about just where his squad is at right now.

Hodgson’s admission

Speaking to Gary Taphouse, following the 0-0 draw with Fulham, Hodgson was seemingly becoming frustrated with the amount of injuries they have suffered.

“I can’t attack the Carabao Cup as I intended to do because I don’t have any players,” an honest Hodgson admitted.

“I’m worried about Edouard’s hamstring. At the moment when I find out a player is out for three weeks, I’m relieved it’s not three months.”

Do United rest players for the cup game

As the holders of the Carabao Cup, there may well be pressure from the United fans to play their strongest team to try and retain the competition.

However, with the injury issues that United are currently suffering from, it may well be a smart decision to rest their key players for the game.

The use of the wider squad could well be the key for Ten Hag to see where the players who haven’t had a chance yet are in their development.

It could be a chance to see Dan Gore, or more of Hannibal Mejbri and certainly Alejandro Garnacho, who deserves a start for the Red Devils after being an unused substitute against Burnley.