Erik ten Hag’s rigorous preseason training regimen, according to a number of senior Manchester United players, is a big factor in the team’s slow start.

United’s challenging start to the new season has been made worse by the injuries suffered by several important players. Earlier in the season, Ten Hag was forced to play without two-thirds of his starting lineup, and he has seen important players like Luke Shaw, Casemiro, and Lisandro Martinez miss extended periods of time due to injury. During the international break, Rasmus Hojlund, Christian Eriksen, Marcus Rashford, and Andre Onana have all contributed to United’s injury woes.

According to The Guardian, some first-team players believe that United’s injury issues are the result of a rigorous preseason training program. Players on the Red Devils felt “overworked” after participating in eight friendlies and a 12-day journey to the United States during the summer. Senior players have expressed dissatisfaction at “feeling as tired” at the beginning of the season as they did at the conclusion of the previous one. United is now bottom of their Champions League group with one win from four games and has already suffered five defeats in the Premier League.

For the first time since 1973–74, their final relegation season, United had dropped as many as nine of their first 17 games in all competitions.

Ten Hag is anxious about a number of players’ availability for Sunday’s match between United and Everton. Due to a pelvic ailment, Onana had to withdraw from his international duties. Hojlund and Eriksen may also be unable to make the journey to Goodison Park. Concerns have also been raised about Rashford’s fitness after he injured himself after an altercation with Trent Alexander-Arnold while playing for England.