Manchester United are about to regain their identity under Erik ten Hag but it could come at a cost

Burnley have done the double over Manchester United this season, but they lost the only match that mattered.

Vincent Kompany's side were victorious again in a behind-closed-doors match at Carrington in midweek, having also won there back in August of last year. Bruno Fernandes netted a glorious goal when the two sides met at Turf Moor in the Premier League.

In both of those defeats, context is key. Eight of the 15 players involved for United in the first meeting had never played for the first team, while Burnley played their strongest XI for the first half. The team that lost this week was focused on fitness rather than winning.

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Erik ten Hag is looking to gradually ease his injured players back into action after some long spells on the sidelines, and a few of those could make a competitive appearance against Newport County this weekend.

It is understood Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire featured at some point in the defeat to Burnley; together, they make up three-quarters of the club's best back four.

Ten Hag initially tried to play down the injury record as an excuse for United's poor start to the season, but as the results failed to pick up, he has hinted at it more and more.

United have fundamentally not been good enough for much of the campaign but there can be no ignoring the fitness situation as a contributing factor behind their lack of consistency and identity.

Without a settled squad to choose from, United haven't been able to gain momentum or build confidence. It has not only had an impact on their results; it has also had an impact on their