Manchester United’s most important signing under Erik ten Hag has not come on the pitch

You could name a starting XI and full bench with Manchester United players who have been injured at some point since the start of pre-season.

A handful are yet to make an appearance since the regular campaign began. Tyrell Malacia, Kobbie Mainoo and Amad are all yet to tread the turf of Old Trafford while Lisandro Martinez won’t again until possibly 2024 thanks to his September setback.

Luke Shaw is another absentee while Casemiro will be fortunate to make it back before Christmas. United’s defensive frailties have been fuelled by the constant setbacks, Jonny Evans now the latest to be ruled out ahead of Luton.

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The crazy fixture schedule would be a valid defence given the congested calendars following the Covid pandemic. However, United played across five countries and two continents in pre-season with eight matches played - more than any other Premier League club.

Mason Mount was there from the start and became injured two weeks into the new season while Mainoo and Amad were ruled out with long-term problems due to knocks in friendlies - something that is inevitable but also restrict-able.

A sizeable portion of the blame is down to simple bad luck. Marcus Rashford sustaining a knock in training, Martinez’s April metatarsal injury recurring and Casemiro’s foot problem while on Brazil duty are just a few examples.

The number of injuries United have had would derail any club so perhaps it is no surprise that Erik ten Hag is struggling to find form. Andre Onana had a worrying start to his United career, not helped by the fact he had six different centre-back partnerships in front of him in his first 10 matches.

A lot of focus has