Ten Hag Faults Man Utd’s Loss to Overwhelming Injury Woes

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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is deflecting blame for his team’s inconsistent performance this season, asserting that the challenges they’ve faced off the field, particularly in dealing with injuries, are issues no team could effectively manage.

The squad has grappled with significant injury concerns under Ten Hag’s leadership, and a public fallout with winger Jadon Sancho further added to the team’s troubles. Sancho, amid the controversy, was banished from the squad and placed on the transfer list.

Additionally, the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the INEOS takeover has cast a shadow over the club for more than a year. Although the takeover seems to be reaching a conclusion, it has undoubtedly contributed to the off-field challenges faced by United.

Following a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, Ten Hag attributed the team’s lack of form to the multitude of injury problems they have encountered.

“We have to make our performances consistent and have to do better,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live. “A game is 90 minutes and we have to invest from the first minute on. We are hopeful that many players will be back in the new year and they will strengthen the team and the squad.

“We know the reasons why it is not working. No team can deal with so many issues and injuries we have had. We should still have done better and we have depth in the squad. When you have so many injuries, the depth is not enough.”

Manchester United’s injury struggles continue as striker Rasmus Hojlund missed the recent game against Nottingham Forest due to illness. Anthony Martial has also been unwell for several weeks.

In Hojlund’s absence, Marcus Rashford started but couldn’t prevent a 2-1 defeat, highlighting defensive lapses that allowed Morgan Gibbs-White to score a late winner.

“The result is clear. It’s disappointing,” Ten Hag reflected. “Losing 1-0, you get a comeback and we were good but in a counter moment, we gave a goal away.

“The loss was unnecessary. We lost it in the first half. We weren’t energised enough or invested enough.

“I thought against Villa we played well in the first half, we conceded from set plays. We should invest more in the first half.

“In the second we were better. In the first half we should have created some moments and we didn’t. We know these results are below our standards.”

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