Manchester United’s management of player injuries under Erik ten Hag has the potential to provide the Red Devils a strategic edge over their PremierLea competitors. Ten Hag has been open about his ambition to make significant changes at United, where a winning culture in the locker room has been lacking ever since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2012.
Throughout his tenure as manager, the Dutchman’s devious strategy for handling injuries to the first team was evident, and Ten Hag was always keen to keep the specifics under wraps. In his news briefings, he rarely discusses injuries in detail, usually keeping quiet about the nature of the issue and the anticipated length of the players’ absences.
This strategy was chosen because, according to The Athletic, Ten Hag views the injuries as medically confidential, with only the injured athlete free to disclose a diagnosis. In an effort to maintain some mystique and prevent players from being targeted during games, the United manager is equally anxious to prevent information from getting into the hands of rivals.
According to the article, United declined to acknowledge Scott McTominay’s ankle injury at the tail end of the previous campaign because they did not want opposition players to kick it upon his comeback. Ten Hag’s discretion is currently being put to the test more than he would like, though, since the Red Devils are going through a little injury crisis.
With no less than nine players out with various injuries, United’s treatment room is currently the busiest in the Premier League. While Luke Shaw, Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka have already resumed play, Mason Mount and Raphael Varane have not yet reached match fitness.
Ten Haag recently addressed the deteriorating situation at Old Trafford and emphasized that while injuries are an inevitable part of the game, the number of absentees at United right now is significantly greater than anticipated.
