UNITED PROBE INJURY CAUSES
SIR JIM RATCLIFFE wants a fresh investigation into what has caused the injury crisis at Manchester United this season.
United boss Erik ten Hag has suffered more than 60 injuries or illnesses to his squad since August.
The number of absences is more than double the average United have become accustomed to in recent seasons.
The setbacks have contributed to United’s dismal campaign, which has seen them fail to challenge for the title or secure Champions League qualification.
United conducted an internal review into the possible reasons for the failing fitness of their stars.
But Ratcliffe has seen no improvement in the situation since completing his £1.3bn investment in United at the start of this year.
Just last week, Harry Maguire was sidelined for three weeks after breaking down in training, and is facing a battle to be fit for the FA Cup final against Manchester City.
Ratcliffe knows United can ill-afford to have some of their biggest names sidelined for weeks on end if the club is to challenge for major trophies again.
He believes more can be done to prevent injuries from happening and will commission a ‘root-and-branch’ investigation into the problem that will involve INEOS director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford.
This will include scrutinising Ten Hag’s training methods, schedules and how intense his sessions have been.
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.
But senior figures at United believe there must be other factors that are causing players to break down on such a regular basis.
And United bosses are determined to get to the bottom of the issue, in a bid to give the team the best chance of getting back to the top again in the future.