Erik ten Hag has rarely wasted an opportunity to highlight the role of an unprecented injury crisis in a difficult campaign.
Where would the Red Devils have finished in the Premier League table had they been able to call on Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez – colossus up against Erling Haaland and co – throughout 2023/24?
Where would Manchester United have finished without losing both of their first-team left-backs? Luke Shaw missed the vast majority of the campaign, while Tyrell Malacia missed all of it.
“Luke Shaw is the best left back in the world,” Ten Hag told Voetbal International. “But he has suffered a horrible injury at the start of his career and because of this he will never be able to play 60 games per season.
“Tyrell Malacia didn’t play a single minute of football this year.”
Manchester United’s injury issues need fixing
Fortunately, things appear to be changing. Improving, too, and not a moment too soon.
The Guardian report that Gary O’Driscoll, headhunted from Arsenal and appointed to the role of head of sports medicine, is starting to make his mark behind the scenes. His impact is believed to have played a part in the returns of Varane and Martinez in time for Wembley.
Even O’Driscoll may have his work cut out when it comes to keeping Luke Shaw fit and available for an entire campaign, however, with Man United’s pursuit of a new left-back suggesting that the solution may lie not in the treatment room but in the transfer market.
There is interest in Melvin Bard, who plays alongside Jean-Clair Todibo at Ineos-owned Nice.
HITC reported that United have watched Rayan Ait-Nouri of Wolves, Bradley Locko of Brest, Ajax youngster Jorrel Hato and Real Betis flyer Juan Miranda.
The latter is out of contract this summer. But, in a blow to United and a boost to Betis, Miranda now tells El Chiringuito that his wish is to extend his stay in Andalusia.
“Would I like to renew with Betis? Yes, man,” Miranda says. “We’ll see what happens.”
Real Betis ace Juan Miranda is a target
Of course, Miranda’s loyalty would be tested if Man United were to step up their interest in a Spaniard who rose through the ranks in Barcelona’s fabled La Masia academy.
One of the more underrated full-back talents in European football, the 24-year-old’s free-agent status would likely appeal to a Man United side looking to enhance their squad in a multitude of areas while doing so under the vice-like grip of Financial Fair Play restrictions.
Juan Miguel Lopez Catalan, Betis’ vice-president, admitted recently that Miranda had held discussions with Man United’s fellow European giants Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan.
Furthermore, while Miranda may want to stay, finding an agreement for him to do just that is proving to be easier said than done.
“So far there have been proposals for renewal,” Catalan said. “But for some reason, sporting or economic, we have not been able to reach that agreement. He is a player who obviously attracts other clubs.
“Yes, he talks about Milan, Dortmund or other Spanish teams. Anything can happen. We could find an agreement and renew for many years, or a huge offer could come to him with a salary double or triple what he has here.
“The relationship with his family and with his agent is very good. It is not a tense relationship, but the problem is not just the signing bonus, which can go to the player or the agent, it is the salary.”