‘Huge’ injury issues a first for Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag

Erik ten Hag says he has never dealt with an injury list like the one engulfing Manchester United throughout his decade in management, with Harry Maguire the latest to be laid low.

A positive first season in charge has been followed by a second to forget, with the side out of Europe before Christmas and already unable to qualify for the Champions League next term.

FA Cup glory against neighbours Manchester City could yet see a difficult campaign end on a high, but availability over the final few weeks could hamper those chances.

“For over 10 years I am managing, I never had this experience,” Ten Hag said speaking before the England defender’s setback.

“So huge, so many injury issues, so I trust all my experience, it can happen once in 10 years.

“Hopefully now I have to wait another 10 to have so many injuries to deal with.”

United announced Maguire’s injury on the eve of the trip to Selhurst Park and expect the muscle issue set to rule him out for the rest of the Premier League season.

Maguire joins fellow centre-backs Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof and Willy Kambwala on the sidelines, meaning Jonny Evans may have to start on his return from injury issues of his own.

Such problems have destabilised United this season and highlighted to Ten Hag that United need to build a bigger squad replete with players capable of dealing with the stresses of playing for the club.

The Dutchman said: “That is one of the issues in constructing the squad where we have to improve, to do things better, to construct a squad where we have more depth.”

“That is what every manager is looking for but, what the truth is, in this club it is extremely important to perform under stress.”

Bruno Fernandes epitomises the kind of mentality, skill and robustness needed to succeed at Old Trafford, but he too is a doubt for Monday’s match.

The United skipper, who Ten Hag “definitely” expects to see out his contract until at least 2026, is the most successful signing of recent years.

The 24-year-old was banished from the first-team in September after claiming he had been made a “scapegoat” but has impressed back on loan at his former club.

Ten Hag says the loan has been a win-win, highlighting the “high value” of a player that United have stayed in close contact with.

“We are close in that process,” he said. “We’re visiting games, not only Wednesday.

“We visit, I would not say all the games, but we have seen more games from Dortmund where Jadon was performing there.

Asked if he wants an apology from Sancho, the United boss said: “There was a conflict and let’s first finish the season – he is not here now – so stay away from this issue now because it’s not important.

“He has the return of the (Champions League) semi-final. I think for them also in the league it is not going that well for them and we have four important games in the league and the FA Cup final.

“So, that is the issue and the focus point in this moment and then we will see in the summer what’s going to happen.”