Manchester United have launched an internal investigation to address their ongoing first-team injury crisis, which is seen as a significant factor behind their challenging start to the season, the Telegraph reports.
Erik ten Hag is currently without eight first-team members, including the entire first-choice defensive line-up consisting of Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Raphael Varane and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Tyrell Malacia, Kobbie Mainoo and Amad Diallo have also been sidelined for a significant period.
Casemiro has been added to the list after picking up a knock on international duty, while Jadon Sancho remains exiled following his public feud with the manager.
Despite the tumultuous start to their campaign, Ten Hag has retained the support of the club’s hierarchy, who attribute the team’s recent form to the recurring injury setbacks.
The Red Devils are 10th in the standings, with a significant five-point gap to the Champions League qualification places.
Their Champions League prospects have also taken a hit, having lost their first two fixtures against Bayern Munich and Galatasaray.
In response to the ongoing injury crisis, the club has launched an internal investigation to identify the root causes of the recurring injury problems.
The objective is to determine if any patterns or issues exist that necessitate changes to their approach to injury prevention for the future.
Man United have cited the cumulative demands of club and international competitions as one of the contributing factors to the injury crisis.
The Red Devils played 41 games between December 21 and the end of the season alone, the same number Aston Villa, Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion played over the entirety of the campaign.
Ten Hag’s side played 62 matches last term, with significant involvement in all competitions, including success in the Carabao Cup.
Additionally, Man United had 15 players representing their respective countries at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Man United also fear the 2024 European Championship and FIFA’s new 32-team Club World Cup scheduled for the end of next season could further exacerbate the situation.
Ten Hag’s side travel to Sheffield United after the international break, hoping their dramatic comeback victory against Brentford may signal a turning point in their challenging season.
