Why injury woes 'have reared ugly head again'

PREMIER League injury expert Ben Dinnery has explained why Manchester United's injury problems are "rearing their ugly head again" this season.

- ISAAC SEELOCHAN

Erik ten Hag's side had 45 reported cases of injury last season as the Reds finished eighth in the top flight their lowest position since 1990.

United struggled to field a consistent backfour last term, with Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and others facing lengthy spells in the treatment room.

Injuries continue to plague Ten Hag's team this season as well, with six first-team players missing for yesterday's clash at home to Brentford.

Shaw, Maguire, Tyrell Malacia, Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo and Leny Yoro were all unavailable.

And Dinnery believes United's struggles have seen Ten Hag rely on players who have just returned from injury, something which could lead to a reoccurrence of previous problems.

"It's multifaceted," he said. "First and foremost, When you're trying to manage squads around heavily congested fixture periods and schedules, you have this vicious cycle of players who ordinarily you wouldn't, in the ideal situation scenario, you wouldn't like to ordinarily play.