Erik ten Hag's extraordinary theory on Man United injury record and what he really thought of Anthony Martial
There were 66 separate cases of injury and illness at Man United last season but only three players were unable to travel to Wembley for the FA Cup final.
Erik ten Hag believes some Manchester United players were so affected by negative coverage surrounding the club it caused them to get injured.
United recorded 66 separate cases of injury or illness that caused a player to miss matches last season but Ten Hag was only without three players through injury for the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
The United manager told confidants the mentality of some infirm players is so flaky they cited criticism as a contributing factor to their absence for fixtures.
Although Ten Hag was almost always publicly supportive of players, privately he was more critical and he was unhappy that Anthony Martial deprived fellow striker Rasmus Hojlund of support for the majority of the season.
Martial, who will be released by United in two weeks, never played for United again after the 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth on December 9. He was initially sidelined for more than a month through illness and then underwent groin surgery in late January. The 28-year-old was ruled out for ten weeks but did not reappear until early May.
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When someone at Carrington half-jokingly suggested the oft-injured Martial, scorer of 19 goals in his last four seasons at United, should seek a career change, Ten Hag agreed.
A fit Martial was omitted from the FA Cup final squad against Manchester City and did not bother travelling to Wembley as a support player. Injured trio Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw were present at Wembley.
Ten Hag lauded Lisandro Martinez, who endured three separate lay-offs last season, for offering to play against Arsenal after the 4-0 drubbing by Crystal Palace. Ten Hag delayed Martinez's return from a calf problem until the penultimate Premier League fixture against Newcastle and he started on the final day against Brighton, effectively declaring himself fit for the FA Cup final.
Casemiro withdrew from the final after United had submitted their 20-man matchday squad with the Brazilian listed among the substitutes. United said Casemiro had a muscular injury.
Ten Hag felt he had repaired the squad's mentality in his successful first season but it is understood that during discussions towards the end of last season it was stressed he is still striving to instil a winning culture.