United without both left backs, Ten Hag’s trainings prove to be too hard

Theatre of Dreams is the nickname of Manchester United’s stadium, but with the current state of affairs, a Theatre of Pain is a more suitable name. Ahead of the home game against Nottingham Forest, coach Erik ten Hag faces a headache. A number of players are injured, and above all, the 2-0 defeat to Tottenham and the display in that match is the most worrying thing. But injuries first.

It was reported a few days ago that the newly required midfielder Mason Mount is injured. After two weak displays, the former Chelsea man is already the subject of various memes on social networks, but his injury means that a reserve midfielder has to come in. Mount will be off the pitch until the international games are finished, which means he is also expected to sit out England's European Championship qualifiers against Ukraine on September 9 and Scotland three days later. Ten Hag oversaw a handful of double training sessions during the pre-season tour of the United States and admitted last week that players were tired. So, his wish to get the players in shape might have cost him a number of players, too, as Mason Mount, Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund are all injured or suffered injuries already, and we are just in Week 3 of the season.

And then, to make things worse, it was announced that Luke Shaw sustained a muscular injury and that he will miss a number of weeks. But his natural substitution, Tyrell Malacia, is out too. He is on the injury list and is lacking match fitness, having missed United's pre-season tour to the States, which leaves Ten Hag without a single left-back. And the irony is that United loaned Brandon Williams to Ipswitch just days before those injuries. So, United is officially on the market for an emergency signing at the position. A quick fix must be found, just as they did last season, with Wout Weghorst and Marcel Sabitzer coming on loans. Both failed to earn a long-term contract with the club.

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For this game, Diogo Dalot, primarily a right-back, could start on the opposite side. Lisandro Martinez is a central defender but a left-footed one, so he could be deployed there, too. In that case, Lindelof would partner Varane in the centre of defence. Harry Maguire’s chance to play in this match is diminished since he has a knock and probably won’t be available at all.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 3

Friday

Chelsea - Luton 3-0 (1-0)

/Sterling 17, 68, Jackson 75/

Saturday

14:30 (3.80) Bournemouth (3.60) Tottenham (2.05)

17:00 (1.25) Arsenal (6.75) Fulham (13.0)

17:00 (2.10) Brentford (3.50) Crystal Palace (3.80)

17:00 (2.45) Everton (3.35) Wolves (3.15)

17:00 (1.35) Manchester United (5.30) Nottingham Forest (8.00)

19:30 (1.60) Brighton (4.10) West Ham (5.50)

Sunday

16:00 (3.20) Burnley (3.40) Aston Villa (2.25)

16:00 (15.0) Sheffield United (7.25) Manchester City (1.18)

18:30 (2.30) Newcastle (3.70) Liverpool (3.15)

***odds are subject to change