Depleted squad? What else is new for Erik ten Hag? – Man United News And Transfer News

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Manchester United’s injury crisis has come into sharp focus in recent days, with Marcel Sabitzer the latest casualty after being forced out of the starting eleven against Nottingham Forest due to a groin issue attained in the warmup.

He adds to an incredible list of unavailable players who would actually give most teams in the Premier League a decent game:

Of course, the right winger in the image above is not injured and may have no future at the club due to his off-field actions, but the fact that Erik ten Hag is managing without half a squad should not be ignored.

It draws into focus just how difficult the period Man United are currently facing is, but the next line-up is perhaps even more alarming:

The right back position is more or less a coin toss between Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, but aside from that particular, most United fans would agree that the above is Ten Hag’s best starting eleven.

It is a strong line-up with plenty of talent, a good balance, and a blend of experience and dynamism.

It also happens to be a line-up that has not been fielded for a single minute in any competition this season and – given Lisandro Martinez’s season-ending metatarsal injury – will go undeployed throughout Ten Hag’s first year at the helm.

That holds true no matter which side of the fence you sit on concerning the Wan-Bissaka/Dalot debate, and there has only been one match for which all of the players named were available.

During United’s 2-0 FA Cup win over Everton back in January, every member of the ‘Best XI’ above featured, although never at the same time.

It is also worth pointing out that Martinez was only just back from his World Cup celebrations and so was only fit for a cameo at the tail end of the match.

So while it is remarkable that Erik ten Hag is continuing to grind out results with a depleted squad at the business end of the season, it is hardly anything new for the Dutchman.

He hasn’t had a full strength squad since he got the job.

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