Man United's injury concerns have exposed an issue that needs addressing at some point.
A handful of setbacks can be down to rotten luck but having nine players sidelined indicates something is awry. Erik ten Hag arrived back at Carrington for the new season in July and has overseen 13 matches in the two-and-a-half months since.
Anthony Martial is not woeful, unlike what some like to say, but he is not of the consistent standard needed to take United to the next level. Bruno Fernandes has the supporting striker role on lockdown and rightly so. The situation is the same at centre-half. Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez are comfortably the first-choice centre-back pairing with Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans all varying degrees of a drop in level.
This is the aim Ten Hag must strive for. Granted, he has not had the same time at the helm but he has been backed with money and there are still holes in the squad. Starting a blame game is unhelpful but ensuring United do have two quality options in every position - be that naturally or via a utility player who can cover numerous roles - is vital if a title charge is ever to be mounted next season.
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