Manchester United is on course for the club’s worst-ever finish in the Premier League.
“It’s like swimming with your hands tied behind your back.” That’s how Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag described the situation at the club after Sunday’s defeat to Arsenal FC, where injuries were once again a topic of conversation, according to Danish media TV 2.
Bruno Fernandes, Victor Lindelöf, Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martínez, Mason Mount, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Luke Shaw, and Raphaël Varane were all unable to play against the rivals.
However, according to former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney, something doesn’t quite add up.
“When we look at the injuries they’ve had, some of those players can definitely play,” he said in his role as an analyst on Sky Sports after the match, which Arsenal FC won 1-0.
Rooney was asked whether he believes the Manchester United players are fighting for manager Erik ten Hag.
“If they are, I don’t think they are showing it very well. The performances, and there are some good players in the squad, are way below par,” the legend said.
In response to his colleague’s remarks, another Manchester United legend, Roy Keane, said:
“It’s not a good sign. You hope that the players who are injured are desperate to get back and play football.”
Need for players who can play
Several of the aforementioned players have been carrying injuries for a long time, and, for example, Martínez, Mount, and Shaw have struggled with recurring problems.
“I’ve been here for two years, and only once have I had all players available. You can’t make progress with a team in certain areas, key areas, when you have so many injuries. It’ts like swimming with your hands tied behind your back. And then you have to keep your hat above water, and that’s what we’re trying to do,” Erik ten Hag said after the defeat to Arsenal FC.
“You need players who can play. And you can see from our opponent today, they only had one player who wasn’t 100 percent ready, and we have so many.”
Injuries or not – Manchester United is heading towards the club’s worst-ever placement in the Premier League. The current worst is seventh place in the 2013/14 season. The Red Devils are currently eighth in the world’s top football league, but are still battling for the possibility of participating in European football next season.
