Constant injury setbacks have been an issue for well over a year now at Manchester United.
As per the reliable Premier Injuries, Manchester United currently have 11 players out injured – more than any other Premier League side.
Unfortunately, that has become a familiar sight at Old Trafford. The Red Devils currently have a few long-term absentees with Lisandro Martinez suffering an ACL injury while Amad Diallo’s season could be over following an ankle injury.
Mason Mount and Luke Shaw are still recovering after suffering several minor injuries this season – their injury record is becoming a worry for Ruben Amorim. Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro and Altay Bayindir have also spent time in the treatment room.
Ayden Heaven gave an update on his injury this week after he was stretchered off against Leicester City, and Amorim must be wondering what he has done to have such rotten luck.
Man United injury crisis caused by worrying Europe stat
Any followers of La Liga may have seen Carlo Ancelotti’s comments after Real Madrid beat Villarreal 2-1 on Saturday – just three days after their Champions League triumph over Atletico Madrid.
As per The New York Times, Ancelotti threatened a Real Madrid protest, saying: “Today is the last game we’ll play with less than 72 hours’ rest.”
Ancelotti’s comments provoked some research into the short rest given to teams, and The Athletic have found that Manchester United have played more games with less than 72 hours rest compared to any other club in Europe.
Their study found that the Red Devils have played 42 matches in the past three seasons with less than 72 hours rest – one more than Real Madrid in second.
United suffered an injury crisis in 2023/24 with five players all missing more than 100 days of action. The injuries have continued into this season, and this study helps to explain why that might be the case.
Ruben Amorim’s Europa League comments are justified
United remain unbeaten in Europe under Amorim – the only club in continental football yet to lose a single game.
But Amorim has found it hard to pick his players back up and perform in the Premier League just a few days later. The Red Devils are slumped down in 13th in the Premier League table.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 12 |  Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace |
28 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 36 | 33 | 3 | 39 |
| 13 |  Man UtdManchester United |
29 | 10 | 7 | 12 | 37 | 40 | -3 | 37 |
| 14 |  TottenhamTottenham |
29 | 10 | 4 | 15 | 55 | 43 | 12 | 34 |
Back in January, Amorim made a bold claim about the Europa League, suggesting it was actually harder than the Champions League.
READ MORE: Two big returns, a position change – Ruben Amorim’s strongest Man Utd XI after international break
“I think it’s much harder than the Champions League — not the opponents, of course — but the time to recover,” Amorim said.
It seems Amorim has a point. United often play on Thursday evening and are back in Premier League action on a Sunday afternoon. That will certainly be a contributing factor to the injury problems this season.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/TmJ6vCB