With Erik ten Hag hiding behind a familiar excuse, the Manchester United boss has seen one potential defence ripped away with Bruno Fernandes and Jonny Evans ready to go against West Ham.
Following the 1-1 draw with Fenerbahce on Thursday night – an underwhelming result papering over an even worse performance – Ten Hag rattled off a series of comments which left the under-fire Dutchman more unpopular with a frustrated Manchester United fanbase than he was at the beginning of a baffling post-match press conference.
It was bad enough that Ten Hag seems happy to completely forget about United’s humiliation by Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford.
He blames the result solely on a Bruno Fernandes red card which, in truth, had very little bearing on the 3-0 scoreline.
But as the manager once again used a spate of injuries as a shield with which to keep the glare out of his eyes, this again gave the impression of a desperate man scrambling around for answers he simply does not have.
Manchester United provide Bruno Fernandes and Jonny Evans boost
“Yes, [injuries] hold us back in our levels and also in our position in the league,” Ten Hag said, ignoring the fact that United’s recent results remained poor even with an almost fully-fit squad at his disposal.
“When you don’t have the players available, you can’t line up the best team. We need more players available often. We all have to work together on this point – the players, the coaching staff and all the other staff.
“We have to do better at that because we know when we have them we are a really tough team to play and we can be really successful.”
Yes, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are yet to play a minute between them in 2024/25.
Yes, Mason Mount, Harry Maguire and Rasmus Hojlund have had spells on the sidelines, with Kobbie Mainoo now joining them.
But Man United have not come close to suffering the sort of injury crisis which derailed a dreadful 2023/24 campaign. Shaw and Mainoo are the only two potential starters missing ahead of Sunday’s trip to a struggling West Ham.
Man United have also confirmed, via their official website, that Jonny Evans is back available after a knock ruled the veteran Irishman out against Fenerbahce.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is in contention again too following his Europa League suspension.
Fernandes desperate to start scoring again under Erik ten Hag
After a confidence-boosting assist last time out – Fernandes set up Rasmus Hojlund as Man United fought back to beat Brentford – the London Stadium would be as good a place as any for the Portugal playmaker to finally open his account for the new campaign.
“I want to improve as soon as I get [back to Man United], and make sure the goals start coming again,” Fernandes told reporters earlier in October, his most recent Red Devils strike coming against Sheffield United in April.
“I have to take responsibility for that too, because I’m a midfielder who scores a lot of goals. And, over the years, I’ve always been at a very high level in terms of goals and I have to live up to that, with those expectations.
“I also have my own standards, I don’t hold back on that.
“I haven’t scored for the club yet and I hope that as soon as I get there I can score and help the club get back to winning ways and to a good level.”
Evans, meanwhile, could be partnered with Matthijs de Ligt again after both impressed against Brentford.
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