'That doesn't help': Ten Hag pinpoints three key moments which led to Man United collapse

Would Manchester United have seen out the win at Stamford Bridge had Erik Ten Hag not lost three of his most experienced players to injury?

At this point, who knows anymore? That staggering 4-3 defeat away to Chelsea – Cole Palmer scoring twice past the 100-minute mark as Manchester United bleakly sacrificed an advantage they had worked so hard to earn – is merely the latest collapse from a Red Devils side who have made giving away leads an almost weekly tradition this season.

Raphael Varane and Casemiro were both on the pitch at Brentford when Kristoffer Ajer turned home an Ivan Toney cross in the 99 minute on Saturday. They both played major roles in that abysmal Champions League group-stage exit too.

So, while Erik Ten Hag may say otherwise, arguing that Man United would have emerged victorious in West London had Varane, Casemiro and also Jonny Evans not needed to be replaced feels a little like a desperate straw-clutch from a man drowning amidst the rising tide.

Erik ten Hag explains Manchester United collapse

“(Losing three experienced players) doesn’t help in such moments if you have to manage the game. (It helps) that there are leaders on the pitch,” Ten Hag tells the Manchester United website.

“Also, Casemiro we have to take off. That doesn’t help. They know how to deal (with pressure) and how to bring the win over the line.”

Maybe so, but the vast experience possessed by a pair of Real Madrid icons hasn’t really made much of a difference during a campaign in which United have lost a horrific 17 games in all competitions.

Varane and Casemiro both played in those defeats to Manchester City, Fulham, Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur. The veteran duo also played their part in a European campaign which saw United concede 15 goals in just six games.

Varane, while still a fine penalty-box defender, is a shadow of his Bernabeu pomp. And the sight of Casemiro trundling back towards his own goal – like a man running through treacle – is an increasingly familiar one for United supporters praying that Ineos will bring in a younger model to take his place, Ten Hag’s side conceding from a simple cut-back for the umpteenth time as Conor Gallagher opened the scoring on Thursday night.

Liverpool clash looming

When asked whether Evans, Varane and Casemiro would be in contention for Sunday’s latest derby clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford, Ten Hag was in no position to confirm either way.

“I can’t tell now what it is (the) prospect of Sunday,” Ten Hag sighs, Liverpool top of the Premier League table and looking for revenge after that FA Cup quarter-final exit.

“In this moment, I don’t know. I can’t help.”

There is a very real chance that Harry Maguire will be the only senior centre-back at United’s disposal this weekend.