Erik ten Hag blames Man United's absentees for inconsistent performances… with the Dutchman promising his side will improve as key players return to fitness
- Key defender Lisandro Martinez has been injured for almost the entire season
- Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Luke Shaw also struggled with injuries
- There's a lot of anger at Man United – it's them against the world! Listen to It all starts
Erik ten Hag has blamed Manchester United's alarming inconsistency this season on the club's ongoing injury problems.
United slumped to a poor defeat at home to Bournemouth on Saturday, three days after beating Chelsea at Old Trafford.
It's the story of the club's season, but Ten Hag believes injuries have been the main reason for United's erratic form.
Key defender Lisandro Martinez has been out for almost the entire season so far after undergoing a second operation on his foot, while Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia were the other long-term absentees.
Mason Mount has had an injury-plagued start to his career at Old Trafford following a £60m summer move from Chelsea, with a number of other players sidelined in the early months of the season.
Man United boss Erik ten Hag believes injuries have contributed to his side's inconsistency
Lisandro Martinez was a key absentee at the heart of Manchester United's defense
Summer signing Mason Mount has had an injury-plagued start to his Man United career
Asked why his team has been so inconsistent after winning the Carabao Cup and finishing third last season, Ten Hag said: 'We had a settled team, not so many changes, especially in our backline. We have had a permanent training for a long time and that helps.
'You get the routines and we have to wait for that. Until then, we have to deal with it. Every team has to deal with it, not just us. If we get back to a regular place, we will win games and get better.
“We have to be tough if we want to do it every third day. We are not the only team. I see inconsistencies across all teams in the Premier League. Players are not robots. But the team that can handle it best will go the furthest.'
Scott McTominay echoed his manager's thoughts on the demands of the Premier League, with a number of top clubs in erratic form this season.
“We know the inconsistencies we've had, we're not naive about that,” McTominay said. 'We talked about it as a group. The schedule is brutal. We can't blame it on the games being behind, but we have to come together and figure out why we are being inconsistent. The boys do everything they can to contribute and give the best of themselves when you are on the pitch.'
United face a decisive Champions League match against Bayern Munich at Old Trafford on Tuesday evening, when they must beat the Germans and hope Galatasaray and FC Copenhagen draw the other match to progress.
It's a tough challenge against a Bayern side that is unbeaten in 39 group games dating back to September 2017. Thomas Tuchel's side were held to a goalless draw by FC Copenhagen last time out, but Bayern have not played consecutive games since 2009. and has not failed to score two games in a row since 2004.
Man United's heavy 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth came days after a 2-1 win over Chelsea
Man United must beat Bayern Munich on Tuesday to have a chance of reaching the knockout stages of the Champions League
Still, Ten Hag is confident his players can only secure their second win of the Group A campaign to give themselves a chance to advance.
“We think positively,” he said. 'We know what we have to do. We have to win to stay in Europe, that's what matters. With that feeling, with that conviction, we will prepare the team. When we are at our best, we can do it.
'We have the opportunity and we want to stay in Europe. If we are in the right spirit, we can defeat any opponent. I know this team can reach really high levels. I know we can do it, it starts with the right attitude.'
