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Manchester United slumped to their worst-ever showing in the Premier League last season as an eighth-placed finish came as yet another milestone in the gradual post-Ferguson decline over the past decade.
The Red Devils would have missed out on European qualification altogether were it not for their success in the FA Cup, while eyebrows were once again raised after finishing bottom of their Champions League group behind both FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray.
Erik ten Hag managed to keep hold of his job over the summer, although a poor start to the new season has seen him face fresh questions regarding his immediate future.
Manchester United injury crisis cost revealed
Ten Hag’s side suffered the second-worst record for injuries in the Premier League last season behind only Newcastle United, something the Dutchman regularly cited as a reason for his side’s struggles.
Fitness issues resulted in over 30 different defensive line-up combinations over the season leading to a record-breaking year for all the wrong reasons defensively.
According to a report by journalist Henry Winter, the Red Devils shelled out more than any other club on wages for injured players over the past 12 months, offering evidence to ten Hag’s claims that this summer’s squad building has been deeply affected by the issues.
£33.1m was spent on players unavailable for selection last season at Old Trafford as stated in the report Winter cited, while the 915 separate injuries suffered by players across the league cost teams a whopping £265.6m in collective wages.
The report claims that Manchester United, Newcastle United, Chelsea and Liverpool all suffered a considerably higher volume of injuries than the Premier League average, while Wolves and Crystal Palace are the only sides to consistently find themselves below the average over the past four seasons.
The report comes amid a feud between players and governing bodies which continues to grow with each new injury, brought into the spotlight by Rodri’s season-ending incident just days after calling for fewer games each season.
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Manchester United’s injury issues continue to rage on in the early parts of this season, with Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia’s absences leaving the Red Devils without a recognised left back, while Leny Yoro’s highly anticipated debut has been pushed back a number of months for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
The Red Devils currently sit top of the injuries table alongside Arsenal with 10 different issues each, according to Premier League Injuries, although it remains to be seen how much longer the Dutch manager will be able to rely on his favourite get-out-of-jail free card.
