When it rains, it floods, and Manchester United has been experiencing a monsoon for months.
That does not even include the foul weather; rather, it pertains to the deluge of injuries that United has endured thus far this season, an ongoing crisis. This season, United have been without five to twelve players for each and every game, which has been detrimental to Erik ten Hag’s squad.
It would be financially burdensome for any team in the world to have so many essential players sidelined; it is difficult to compensate for the inaccessibility of your entire back four. The narrow victory over Luton Town on Saturday brought additional bad tidings.
Rasmus Hojlund and Christian Eriksen, both of Denmark, were both hampered off the field and are expected to spend some time sidelined. Fortunately, Hojlund’s muscle strain is only anticipated to sideline him until the end of November, whereas Eriksen’s prognosis is less encouraging.
The playmaker is expected to miss the Premier League matches against Everton, Newcastle, Chelsea, Bournemouth, and Liverpool, in addition to the two crucial Champions League group matches that United must win to maintain its position in Europe’s elite competition, for a duration of one month.
While injuries can occur at any moment, Eriksen’s injury was especially distressing due to the fact that he had just reinserted himself into the side. Ten Hag lamented the dearth of equilibrium in the midfield, but it appeared that he had achieved some with the pairing of Eriksen and Scott McTominay. The talent sets of the two players were highly complementary, and their combined performances had progressively enhanced.
However, the situation has once more returned Ten Hag to the drawing board in order to determine who should perform in the park’s center. McTominay has earned a secure starting position due to his drive, vitality, and goal threat, but who ought to play alongside him?
United has options, and Mason Mount is the apparent selection. In the event, United did spend £60 million on him. Nevertheless, is he the solution?
Putting aside a few pleasant touches and effective pressing, Mount has thus far been a disappointment. Ten Hag was extremely eager to acquire him, but the fact that he has already been omitted from the starting lineup does not bode well for his compatibility with the team. The double pivot, particularly when combined with a marauding McTominay, appears to be a recipe for disaster.
However, with Casemiro suspended as well, the remaining senior midfielder does not inspire confidence. Since joining on loan, Sofyan Amrabat has performed even less admirably than Mount and, being candid, does not appear to be made out for the Premier League. It could be a matter of fitness, a tactical error, or a process of acclimating, as Amrabat has demonstrated his prowess in the past, most notably during the World Cup, but has yet to do so at United.
Although Amrabat may appear to be the more reliable option defensively due to his deep positioning alongside McTominay, it is not difficult to envision that pairing being caught in possession on a regular basis. That only leaves one alternative, and it is also considerably less than optimal.
When considering untimely injuries, Kobbie Mainoo’s could have been among the most disastrous. Last season, he was on the verge of making the first team when his campaign was cut short; since then, a preseason injury has prevented him from even kicking a ball for Ten Hag’s squad. At the very least, he has regained his fitness and earned minutes for the Under-21s; however, is that sufficient to immediately begin matches?
If so, United could receive a tremendous stimulus. Although Mainoo is only 18 years old and has yet to be extensively evaluated, he has already demonstrated considerable promise. He is combative, vivacious, and exceptionally dexterous in the air, with a keen eye for a pass. Everything United requires in the middle is carried by a youthful individual.
Every option that Ten Hag considers will have disadvantages, but he must reach a conclusion quickly.