How Man City vs Liverpool became football's hottest rivalry

Why can't all-conquering Chelsea fill Stamford Bridge? 

Southgate on his way out! England change inevitable

The Saudi Pro League's top January transfer targets

England's Euros squad rankings: Who'll make it on the plane?

Argentina-Brazil delayed as fans clash in Maracana stands

Real Madrid starboy Guler hailed 'the next Ozil' by Gundogan

Madrid contact De Zerbi over becoming next manager

Euro 2024 Power Rankings: Perfect Portugal overtake England

Brazilian FA issue statement after Messi 'tragedy' claim

Southgate 'understands' comments about Henderson's stance👀

Man Utd youngsters set for more minutes

Happy Diwali!

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Manchester United endure poor start</li><li>Squad has been hit hard by injuries</li><li>Some players feel intense pre-season a factor</li></ul>

'Senior' Man Utd players blaming Erik ten Hag's intense pre-season for disappointing Premier League start as injuries stack up for Red Devils

Premier League

Everton

Man Utd

United have endured a difficult start to the new campaign which has been compounded by the loss to injury of a host of key players. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/man-utd-investigate-injury-crisis-erik-ten-hag-first-team-squad/blte0ee783005fcc134" target="_blank">Ten Hag was left without two-thirds</a> of his first-team squad earlier this season and has seen key players including Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro and Luke Shaw sidelined for long spells. Marcus Rashford, Andre Onana, Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Hojlund have added to United's injury problems over the international break.

WHAT HAPPENED?

There is a feeling within some members of the first-team squad that United's injury problems have been caused by an intense pre-season training regime, according to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/nov/21/manchester-united-players-believe-poor-start-due-to-overworking-in-pre-season?CMP=share_btn_tw" target="_blank">The Guardian</a>. The Red Devils played eight friendlies and took in a 12-day trip to the United States over the summer that left players feeling "overworked". Senior stars have complained about "feeling as tired" at the start of the season as they did at the end of the last campaign. United have been beaten five times already in the Premier League and sit bottom of their Champions League group with one win from four games.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

United have lost as many as nine of their opening 17 matches of a season in all competitions for the first time since 1973-74, which was the last season they were relegated.

DID YOU KNOW?

Ten Hag is sweating on the fitness of several players ahead of United's clash against Everton on Sunday. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/andre-onana-returns-man-utd-withdrawing-cameroon-squad-sweat-severity-pelvic-injury/blt2afd83b261706771" target="_blank">Onana pulled out of international duty</a> with a pelvic injury and is a doubt for the game, while <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/rasmus-hojlund-christian-eriksen-injury-man-utd/blt2f5326c5f2f6d957#cs41f924288338beb6" target="_blank">Hojlund and Eriksen could also miss the trip</a> to Goodison Park. Rashford's fitness is also an area for concern after he picked up a problem on <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/marcus-rashford-injured-man-utd-forward-england-trent-alexander-arnold-liverpool-premier-league/blt2ca2af0febf4fc44#cs23d1f1279aca5c6e" target="_blank">England duty after a clash with Trent Alexander-Arnold</a>.

WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

'Senior' Man Utd players blaming Erik ten Hag's intense pre-season for disappointing Premier League start as injuries stack up for Red Devils | Goal.com English Kuwait

Several senior Manchester United players believe Erik ten Hag&apos;s intense pre-season training schedule is a major reason for the team&apos;s injury problems.

&apos;Senior&apos; Man Utd players blaming Erik ten Hag&apos;s intense pre-season for disappointing Premier League start as injuries stack up for Red Devils

Editors' Picks