Manchester United partnership that nearly cost Erik ten Hag his job is about to return

Had the interminable end-of-season review at Manchester United gone against Erik ten Hag then the Dutchman would have had plenty to ponder as he searched for new employment, but he would also have had reason to curse his luck.

The injury crisis that never abated during the course of the season played havoc with Ten Hag's ability to pick a consistent team and implement the style he wanted and nowhere was this more noticeable than on United's left flank.

The issues that affected Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw compromised the ability to build play, restricted efforts to play with a high line, robbed the rearguard of some aggression and held back efforts to incorporate Andre Onana's style into the side.

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Martinez and Shaw were fit enough to start just five games together. They began the first two, against Wolves and Tottenham back in August, and then three in a row against Newport County, Wolves and West Ham in the New Year. Four of the five ended in victory.

Of all the injuries that affected the squad last season, these were the most costly in terms of the playing style and the ability to get results. If the campaign had ended with Ten Hag being dismissed, his inability to play Martinez and Shaw together would have been his biggest frustration.

Martinez suffered three separate spells on the sidelines last season and Shaw had two long absences due to muscle problems. The Argentine fought his way back to play a pivotal role in the FA Cup final but the left-back hasn't played since February 18 and initial hopes that he might make it quickly