With Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia sidelined for the remainder of the campaign, Erik ten Hag faces the challenge of finding a makeshift option to fill the left-back slot.
Erik ten Hag disclosed that he will be without a recognized left-back for the remainder of the season, as Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are not expected to make a return.
United terminated Sergio Reguilon’s loan spell with them in January, relying on assurances from Ten Hag’s medical and performance staff regarding the fitness of Shaw and Malacia.
Shaw and Malacia probably out for the season
Despite Shaw’s return, having already missed four months in the first half of the season, he suffered a muscle injury after just five games back and is now expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the campaign.
According to the Mirror, Malacia has been out of action since the end of last season due to a knee injury. Ten Hag hinted that United would have retained Reguilon had they known they would be left without any left-back options.
“In December I had talks, internally, with the medical and performance [staff],” said Ten Hag
“They assured me they will both be fit in January and so you will have two left full-backs. Then you have a third one, so I would have to always disappoint one full-back [Reguilon].
“We’re talking about one of the biggest frustrations. You can accept in one position that a player is not available, but when two players are not available over the course of the season, that’s very frustrating.
“It’s very difficult to catch up as a team, but we’ve dealt with it in the best way, but of course it’s a disadvantage.” Ten Hag’s second season at United has been blighted by injuries, with 10 players unavailable for Saturday’s visit of Everton to Old Trafford, including leading goalscorer Rasmus Hojlund.
The United boss believes that no team could manage the sheer number of injuries that United have faced. He disagreed when it was suggested that Liverpool, Manchester City, and Arsenal have encountered similar issues.
Ten Hag emphasized that United’s injuries have occurred in key positions, making their situation particularly challenging.
