19 September 2023 , 20:11
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Erik ten Hag believes he's never started with his strongest Manchester United XI - with the Dutchman under huge pressure.
The Red Devils have made a poor start to the Premier League season. Although Ten Hag's side defeated Wolves and Nottingham Forest, they lost to Arsenal, Tottenham and Brighton. All three of those losses were by a two-goal margin, leaving fans alarmed.
United's most recent defeat to Brighton is the most concerning. Roberto De Zerbi's team convincingly won 3-1 at Old Trafford, with Pascal Gross converting a 30-pass move. Ten Hag's position is now in doubt for the first time since his appointment in May 2022.
Yet the United boss has defended his Old Trafford record by highlighting his team's injury record. The likes of Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Anthony Martial, Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek spent time in the treatment room last season.
Ten Hag is facing similar injury crisis this season, with up to 12 players missing their Champions League game against Bayern Munich. United take on the German champions, who now boast the talents of Harry Kane, in Bavaria on Wednesday.
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Ten Hag complained about his team's injury woes during his pre-match press conference on Tuesday. He told reporters: "From the start of last season, I don't think I ever started with, in my opinion, the best starting XI. There was always injuries.
"We always got results apart from the period that we are in now. I have experienced it in the past and managed it. You have to deal with it. I like these situations because you have to handle it and know what to do, and that is focusing on the process."
Aaron Wan-Bissaka will miss the next two months with a hamstring injury, while Luke Shaw will not play again until October due to a similar complaint. Young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is expected to recover from his ankle complaint shortly.
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Varane and Mason Mount have returned to training but haven't travelled to Germany for Wednesday's game. New signing Sofyan Amrabat is still nursing a back injury, while Tyrell Malacia is hoping to return from his knee complaint sooner rather than later.
Antony and Jadon Sancho are both unavailable for selection for non-injury reasons. Amad Diallo (knee) and Tom Heaton (calf) are long-term absentees, while Harry Maguire has picked up a knock and won't feature against England team-mate Kane.
Ten Hag added: "The doctors are dealing with the problems. First of all, injuries always come in top football because we are living on the edge. Of course we analyse why things happen, but we also have to deal with the effects.
"We have to get the best out of it. We need to make the next step, integrating (new signings) Rasmus Hojlund and Sergio Reguilon."