Manchester United return to Premier League action with a crucial clash against Sheffield United this evening.
01.10.2023 - 12:07 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Manchester United had 11 players out with injury at one stage last month. The club had taken a lot of flack for their underwhelming start to the season but any team that loses a whole starting XI of players are going to struggle.
It seems one step forward, another back for Erik ten Hag in this regard. While Raphael Varane and Sofyan Amrabat are back from injury, left-back Sergio Reguilon and key starter Lisandro Martinez have been ruled out, the latter for around two months.
The United boss has always underlined the importance of having a squad of talent and has somewhat stocked his barrels in accordance to his mantra. His frustrations are understandable when it comes to poor fortune with injuries.
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Or is it bad luck? In the presence of an effect (in this case, injuries) there must be a cause. Both Ten Hag and Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, who each managed more than 50 games last season, agree on what this is - an overwhelmingly hectic schedule.
The post-Covid timetable followed by the delayed Euros had put players through the mill once but then came a mid-season World Cup. Ten Hag believes he is feeling the effects of that today.
“We already expanded the squad this season because we make the reason clear. We had a World Cup in the middle of the season, we had a longer season, we had to play a longer season as well, with FA Cup,” he told reporters on Friday.
“A shorter break. Every time the schedule is expanding, the load on the players is too much, it's such a great overload. Many colleagues of mine have pointed to that and I have pointed to that as well.
"But it keeps going.
Manchester United return to Premier League action with a crucial clash against Sheffield United this evening.
Pep Guardiola remained impartial as he was asked to declare whether Erling Haaland or Lionel Messi should win this year's Ballon d'Or award.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola might have watched the England match through his fingers with so many of his players involved on Tuesday night. However, in the end, Guardiola pretty much got exactly what he wanted from the win over Italy.
Kyle Walker says it is not up to him to rewrite the hectic football schedule, despite Pep Guardiola’s suggestion that players should speak up about the increasing workload.
Manchester United are keeping tabs on Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, according to reports. Defensive injuries have been United's kryptonite this season, with Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane serving time on the treatment table.
Alan Shearer said he almost dozed off during Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal such was the poor quality on show.
Phil Foden says partnering with Rico Lewis in midfield for Manchester City is a dream come true, as he echoed his manager's sentiments on the youngster's potential.
Pep Guardiola said a third successive defeat would not have shaken his faith that Manchester City can have a good season.
Manchester United have not been able to catch a break at left-back this season and it continues to hamper them in other positions across their misfiring team.
Erik ten Hag has named his starting line-up for Manchester United's UEFA Champions League group stage tussle with Galatasaray at Old Trafford this evening.
Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk has indicated he will try to expose whoever fills in at left-back for Manchester United in Tuesday’s Champions League tie.
Antony is under consideration to return to the Manchester United squad against Galatasaray in the Champions League.
Sofyan Amrabat looked well worth the €10million loan fee during a commanding first start for Manchester United in the Carabao Cup earlier this week.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will be expecting his team to bounce back this weekend when they travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League.
Manchester United return to Premier League action on Saturday afternoon when they host Crystal Palace at Old Trafford for the second time in five days.
Pep Guardiola has called on the players to take a stand if they want a reduction in the number of games in the schedule, insisting the authorities won't listen to the Manchester City manager or his fellow bosses.
Predicting how Manchester United's midfield might look against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon has possibly just become that little bit easier.
Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay are available for Manchester United in their Premier League rematch with Crystal Palace.
Manchester United brought in a record seven players over the summer transfer window. Mason Mount was first through the door before being followed by Andre Onana. Rasmus Hojlund was also captured before Jonny Evans, Altay Bayindir, Sofyan Amrabat and Sergio Reguilon arrived on deadline day.
Manchester United will assess Sergio Reguilon, Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay ahead of their Premier League rematch with Crystal Palace on Saturday.