Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag requires all of his players to be available, as evidenced by last night’s injuries.

Manchester United’s Champions League match yesterday night turned out to be a massive waste of time, as well as a costly night.

After Copenhagen defeated Galatasaray, even a Manchester United victory would not have been enough to qualify. Erik ten Hag’s team paid the price for their earlier mistakes, losing four of their six group games.

The worst aspect was Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw’s double injury, which could keep them out for a few weeks. At the very least, they may be forced to miss this weekend’s game against Liverpool.

Manchester United will need every available player against Liverpool

Manchester United’s meeting against Liverpool this weekend is critical for the club and its fans.

Last season, the game at Anfield hosted Manchester United’s worst humiliation of all time, a 7-0 away loss to our bitter rivals.

We’re still not over it, and neither are any of our supporters. Erik ten Hag’s side hasn’t been the same since.

With Liverpool presently leading the league, this weekend’s encounter will be difficult enough. Add to that Manchester United’s dismal form, now two consecutive home losses without a goal, and the new double defensive injury blow, and you have a poisonous cocktail, on top of the scars from last season’s defeat.

Bruno Fernandes’ suspension appears to be completely irrational

United is low on defense for the game due to injuries. There is backup, but the absence of the England international pair is not ideal.

However, injuries are unavoidable. It is possible to avoid stupid suspensions for dissent.

Manager Erik ten Hag should be furious with Bruno Fernandes, who received a suspension after being yellow carded in the 84th minute of the defeat to Bournemouth.

It was his fifth booking of the season, and he was well aware of the danger. Fernandes became enraged by the team’s 3-0 weekend setback and clashed with the referee to the point that he talked himself into the book.

Manchester United will be without their captain for the season’s final game. This was the game we both dreaded and looked forward to in order to make up for the disastrous result last season.

Fernandes is currently unavailable. The absences of Maguire and Shaw due to injury emphasize Fernandes’ folly.

Rio Ferdinand listed Maguire and Shaw as players who may take over as captain if Fernandes is unavailable.

Who is there now? Perhaps Raphael Varane? Ten Hag has not played in six weeks until Friday night.

What kind of desperate signal does that send?

We did notice that Fernandes’ ban may have influenced Ten Hag’s decision to play him in a more balanced midfield rather than in an attacking role alongside Scott McTominay. That remains true.

It may work to United’s benefit, but this was before Shaw and Maguire were injured, leaving United even more short of veteran players.

Ten Hag should be upset with his captain for being unavailable, and Fernandes should be upset with himself.

The Portuguese were strongly chastised after last season’s humiliation, and there was only one way to make amends: go to Anfield and put on a show. Now he’ll have to watch from home as his teammates and manager try to cope without him.