Ally McCoist has been left in disbelief over the difference two players make for Manchester United.
2024 got off to a promising start for Manchester United with a seven-game unbeaten run and Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group completing their purchase of 27.7 per cent of the club’s Class A shares.
With Ratcliffe and his team now running football operations instead of the Glazers, there was cause for optimism at Old Trafford.
But then United were given a brutal reality check at the hands of Fulham on Saturday, with the visiting side emerging deserved winners from the match.
Erik ten Hag has come in for criticism after the game due to his side’s apparent lack of tactical cohesion and a terrible defensive structure.
However, United have been struggling with injuries and suffered two more casualties ahead of the game in the shape of Rasmus Hojlund and Luke Shaw.
Ally McCoist believes being without the left-back, as well as defender Lisandro Martinez, makes a humungous difference to how United play.
Ally McCoist can’t believe the difference in United without two players
Speaking on TalkSPORT, McCoist said: “It’s amazing when you look at a team that are completely different side when one or two players are out.
“We know teams have got key players, I’ve mentioned Arsenal I think their two centre-backs as talented as the forward players are.
“But dear me, if they don’t play Martinez and Luke Shaw on that left-hand side, they are just a completely different proposition.
“They struggle, it’s as simple as that.”
Injuries can’t excuse things forever
It’s definitely true that Ten Hag has been hamstrung by injuries all season long. The Dutchman hasn’t had a fully fit squad to choose from once.
Not only has he often been without his most important players at different times so been unable to name his strongest team, but he has rarely been able to even name an unchanged side.
It’s impossible to find consistency amid such uncertainty and it’s no surprise results have been equally erratic.
But, it can’t be an excuse forever. Every team faces injuries and at some point, you just have to adapt and overcome.
That’s what the best managers do. Jurgen Klopp was missing nearly a starting XI of his best players for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final but still emerged with the trophy.
With the amount of money United have spent and the number of players at his disposal, Ten Hag should be doing better even in difficult circumstances.
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