Manchester United’s football director, John Murtough, has announced that the club is set to conduct a thorough investigation into the ongoing injury crisis that has plagued the team, leaving coach Erik ten Hag without two-thirds of his first-team squad this season.
The Red Devils have endured a tumultuous start to the 2023-24 campaign, with a total of 16 players ruled out for various periods. Key players such as Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Amad Dialo, and Kobbie Mainoo are among those unavailable for the long term. Additionally, Raphael Varane, Sergio Reguilon, Mason Mount, and the recent injury concern, Casemiro, have contributed to the team’s fitness woes.
Murtough pointed to the team’s intense playing schedule as a potential factor behind the injuries, expressing hope that the investigation will uncover the root cause. He emphasized the impact of the injuries on the team’s performance, citing the fact that Erik ten Hag has been unable to field his strongest XI in any match this season.
“We’re also looking at why we’ve had so many injuries to see if there’s any patterns to improve prevention in future,” Murtough stated. “Some of them have been impact injuries such as Kobbie’s and Amad’s, which are unpredictable. Others have been muscular and could reflect the sheer volume of games played over the past year, including last year’s World Cup.”
Despite the challenges, Murtough remains optimistic as injured players gradually return, including new signings Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount. The club, currently positioned 10th in the Premier League table, is gearing up for their next match against Sheffield United on October 21.
