Erik ten Hag’s side are engulfed by an injury crisis(Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
A section of Manchester United players believe Erik ten Hag’s tactics are to blame for the club’s injury crisis.
The Red Devils were without Rasmus Hojlund, Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Mason Mount during their 3-1 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday.
Marcus Rashford and Jonny Evans – who both started at the Etihad – came through late fitness tests and barely lasted an hour.
Only Diogo Dalot, Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes have avoided injuries this season, and Ten Hag has been forced to call up a number of teenagers from the academy to up the numbers for training.
Against City, United sat deep in order to contain Guardiola’s side as best as they can.
But United’s tactics in recent weeks have been criticised – most notably by Jamie Carragher – who said United’s front six adopt a high press while the back five deploy a deep block.
Ten Hag’s tactics have been questioned (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
That leaves large swathes of space behind United’s midfield, meaning the forward six are often sprinting back to get back into position before launching attacks when they regain possession.
The Manchester Evening News claims it’s these tactics that have left some United players baffled, and they feel it’s contributing to the injury crisis engulfing the squad.
United are 11 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa, while they’re six behind Spurs in fifth.
The Red Devils host Everton at Old Trafford next Saturday, with Villa and Spurs facing off later in the day.
Ten Hag hopes to have Maguire back for the visit of the Toffees.
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