Thread by @SensibleUtd

Impact of Injuries on #ManUtd

Total Games: 42*

Games Missed Thru Injury:
GK: 0
LB: Shaw - 16
CB: Eric - 30, Axel - 24
RB: Dalot - 24, TFM - 33
DM: Matic - 13
CM: PP - 34, McT - 12
LW: Rash - 9
AM: 0
RW: 0
ST: AM - 9

This has had a huge impact. Let me explain.

A THREAD

(1/8)

#ManUtd Squad When Season Began:

GK: DDG, SR
LB: Shaw, Williams
CB: Harry, Victor, Eric, Phil, Axel
RB: Awb, Dalot, TFM
DM: Matic
CM: PP, McT, Fred
LW: Rash
AM: Mata, JL, AP
RW: James
ST: AM, Mason

This was wafer thin to begin with. Now add injuries & it looks like this:

(2/8)

Players Fit Throughout:

GK: DDG
LB: Williams
CB: Harry, Victor
RB: AWB
DM: 0
CM: Fred
LW: 0
AM: Mata, JL, AP
RW: James
ST: Mason

No backup DM, CM, LW & RW meant Jesse, AP, Mata played a lot. Hence no creativity.

Also AWB has had no rest & Williams couldn't be eased in.

(3/8)

#Ole has adapted well to these setbacks:

With no DM: 4-2-3-1

With McT & Rash injured: 3-5-2

Now with Matic &Bruno but no McT: 4-2-3-1

Once McT is back: 4-3-3

Being forced to switch tactics so often means it's impossible to establish a singular style of play or tactic.

(4/8)

You'll say, he shouldn't have sold so many. But the rise of Rash, Martial, McT, Mason, Fred & Brandon is due to slots opening up.

Short term pain is necessary for long term gain.

Also these many injuries are partly due to bad luck & partly on the style of play under Mou.

(5/8)

We were one of the most unfit sides in the league. Mou's slow tactics meant our fitness was shot.

We were amazing initially under Ole but then the form dipped bcz our fitness levels caught up with his high intensity game.

That's why Ole's preseason was all about fitness.

(6/8)

The players complained at preseason bcz obviously they haven't been pushed like this before but now we can see the results.

We play out from the back, pressing high & moving fast.

Our team is as fit as any now & with the improved fitness levels, injuries will reduce too.

(7/8)

Lack of depth, an unfit squad & a host of injuries meant consistency in results & style of play wasn't easy to achieve.

But #Ole has made us ready for the modern game. We're still in all comps & with key players returning & an evident style of play, it's time to back him.

(8/8)