Sir Jim Ratcliffe orders forensic investigation into Man Utd's chronic injury crisis

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has ordered a full-scale investigation into Man Utd's unprecedented injury crisis, which has seen Erik ten Hag suffer more than 60 separate injuries this season, which has wrecked their season and pushed him to the brink of the sack

Manchester United chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants a fresh investigation launched into the causes of the club's chronic injury crisis this season.

United boss Erik ten Hag has seen his second season in charge sabotaged by more than 60 separate injuries or illnesses to his squad since August.

The number of enforced absences is more than double the average United have become used to in recent years and has seen a season of promise implode with humiliating consequences.

Ten Hag's inability to field a consistent side, particularly in defence has seen United crash out of the Champions League and slump to eighth in the Premier League table.

The United boss has been forced to field 31 different defensive combinations in 48 games in all competitions this season, proof of the enforced loss of personnel that has wrecked the season.

United have missed out on Champions League football for next season and are in danger of failing to secure a European place altogether, with Newcastle and Chelsea now above them.

Image: Getty Images) Getty Images)

Although United conducted an internal review into the reasons for the unprecedented number of injuries, minority shareholder Ratcliffe, who now runs the football side of the club, wants a fresh look at the issue.

Ratcliffe has seen no improvement in the situation since completing his £1.3billion investment in United at the start of 2024 and wants a comprehensive and forensic assessment of the matter.

Only last week, defender Harry Maguire was sidelined for three weeks after breaking down in training and is now facing a battle to be fit for the FA Cup final against Manchester City.

The loss of Maguire meant Ten Hag had to field yet another new central defensive pairing in Jonny Evans and Casemiro, with United slumping to an embarrassing 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace.

Ratcliffe knows United cannot afford to have so many key players sidelined for weeks on end if the club is to have any chance of challenging for major trophies again.

The INEOS billionaire believes more can be done to prevent such a glut of injuries and will commission a thorough investigation into the issue that has wrecked United's season.

That investigation will include scrutinising Ten Hag's training methods, schedules and how intense his sessions have been.

Image: Ryan Browne/REX/Shutterstock) Ryan Browne/REX/Shutterstock)

The running distances of the players will also be looked into, along with data relating to how much pressure is put on them before, during and after matches.

United played 62 games last season, which also included a winter World Cup. Ten Hag feels the cumulative effect of so many games, including a major tournament in the middle of the season, has been a factor in why United have suffered so many injuries.

But senior figures at United believe there must be other factors, apart from the general workload and the punishing fixture schedule, that are causing players to break down on such a regular basis.

Ratcliffe and his newly-installed football operations team are determined to get to the bottom of the issue, to give United the best chance of getting back to the top again.

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