Are Erik ten Hag’s Training Sessions to Blame for Manchester United’s Injury Problems?
There are concerns in the Manchester United dressing room that Erik ten Hag’s intense training sessions are the cause of some of the injuries that have riddled the squad this season. 16 first-team players have been sidelined at various stages of the season with Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Lisandro Martinez among those still unavailable to the manager. Youngsters Kobbie Mainoo and Amad Diallo are edging closer to their respective returns after suffering injuries during pre-season with hope Aaron Wan-Bissaka will return to action before November’s international break.
ESPN report United chiefs acknowledge the string of injury problems have been an ‘unfortunate factor’ which has impacted ten Hag’s second season at the club. However, members of the Unites squad fear it the Dutchman’s gruelling training sessions that have contributed to fatigue and injury.
United played eight pre-season games – four of those on their pre-season tour of the US – before beginning with the 2023-24 season where they have played 14 matches to date in all competitions. There is a feeling within the dressing room that more time could be spent focusing on recovery to ensure the squad is better prepared for matchdays during the busy season.
Injuries Impacting Performance
United are back in action against Newcastle United in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night before their trip to Fulham in Saturday’s early kick-off. Ten Hag will hope to have Casemiro available for those games with the midfielder missing United’s last three games. 18-year-old midfielder Mainoo was back among the subs on Sunday after recovering from an ankle injury with Sergio Reguilon also making his return after a recent knock.
Ten Hag has been unable to name a consistent back four this season, a problem he believes has impacted Andre Onana wo has endured a trouble start to his United career. ‘Every time you have a different defensive line in front of you, it is not helpful,’ ten Hag said last week. ‘You do not get the routines. That is a problem but you have to deal with it – that is the situation we are in. It did not help with his integration. Sometimes there are different combinations who have not played so often together, so sometimes you get hesitation and in such details opponents take benefits from it.’
Conclusion
The injury crisis at Manchester United has been an unfortunate factor this season, with 16 first-team players sidelined at various stages. While United chiefs acknowledge this has impacted ten Hag’s second season at the club, members of the Unites squad fear it the Dutchman’s gruelling training sessions that have contributed to fatigue and injury. Ten Hag will hope to have Casemiro available for Wednesday’s game against Newcastle United and Saturday’s trip to Fulham, while 18-year-old midfielder Mainoo was back among the subs on Sunday after recovering from an ankle injury.
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