What Erik ten Hag has been forced to do in 31 out of 43 matches this season is simply ridiculous

Add as preferred source on Google

Manchester United have had a strange season under Erik ten Hag – which has definitely been effected by a simply ludicrous amount of injuries.

After what was a tough week for the Red Devils, it now appears that Manchester United may be out of the race for the Champions League spots.

Erik ten Hag‘s side now sit a whopping 11 points off Aston Villa in 5th, with that extra spot looking likely now to obtain a place in Europe’s greatest knockout competition.

Sadly, it looks like it will be Unai Emery and Ange Postecoglou in 4th and 5th. You can’t help but think the injury list has had a big part to play.

Manchester United’s injury woes

United have had more injuries than you can shake a stick at this season. More importantly, it’s been to some big hitters in the first-team squad.

Two integral players, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw both sustained terrible long-term injuries, which has had a dramatic effect on the backline.

Similarly, Tyrell Malacia has been absent for the entire campaign, making that left-back slot an elusive nightmare around Carrington over the months.

But it isn’t just at the back. Rasmus Hojlund and Anthony Martial have also caused hellish problems for Ten Hag up top, often heading into fixtures without a striker.

Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans, Raphael Varane and Luke Shaw are all in the injury tent – which shows how bad it has been defensively for United this season.

Remarkable defensive statistic for Manchester United

In the 43 games that Manchester United have layered across all Ten Hag has been forced to play a simply ridiculous 31 different defensive back lines.

1. AWB, Varane, Martinez, Shaw
2. AWB, Varane, Martinez, Dalot
3. AWB, Lindelof, Martinez, Dalot
4. Dalot, Lindelof, Martinez, Reguilon
5. AWB, Lindelof, Martinez, Reguilon
6. Dalot, Lindelof, Evans, Reguilon
7. AWB, Lindelof, Evans, Reguilon
8. Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Amrabat
9. Dalot, Varane, Lindelof, Amrabat
10. Dalot, Maguire, Evans, Lindelof
11. Dalot, Varane, Evans, Lindelof
12. Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Reguilon
13. Dalot, Maguire, Lindelof, Reguilon
14. Dalot, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw
15. AWB, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw
16. AWB, Maguire, Shaw, Dalot
17. Dalot, Maguire, Shaw, Reguilon
18. Dalot, Maguire, Varane, Shaw
19. Dalot, Evans, Varane, Shaw
20. AWB, Maguire, Evans, Dalot
21. AWB, Kambwala, Evans, Shaw
22. AWB, Varane, Evans, Dalot
23. Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw
24. Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw
25. Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Shaw
26. 26.Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Lindelof
27. Dalot, Lindelof, Varane, Amrabat
28. Dalot, Varane, Evans, Lindelof
29. Dalot, Lindelof, Varane, AWB
30. AWB, Maguire, Varane, Dalot
31. Dalot, Kambwala, Maguire, AWB

From RB, RCB, LCB, and LB, as sourced quite brilliantly by Alice Talks Footy on X.

Please bear in mind, that this doesn’t include times when injuries have caused the backline to change in the game. For example, Willy Kambwala coming on at right-back, or Bruno Fernandes playing centre-back in the FA Cup against Liverpool.

Injuries have had one positive impact…

Despite the injuries being a burden, they have also had one positive impact. Embracing youth. Manchester United also have the most minutes played by teenagers in the Premier League this season.

Whilst other teams have had their struggles, arguably none have been hit harder than the Red Devils.

The FA Cup is now the only real competition they can fight for, so that is what they must do. Fight. Injuries or not.

It may very well just save Ten Hag’s job… Coventry awaits.

READ MORE: Join the conversation with the United in Focus Whatsapp group