Manchester United star Raphael Varane's pre-season warning has been proven correct

Injuries have ravaged the Premier League this season and Manchester United might have felt their cold sting more than anyone else.

United are far from alone in being without multiple crucial players for much of the campaign but Erik ten Hag has seen his side decimated. The Dutchman has often been without his first-choice back four, with Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw being long-term absentees, while practically every other position has been impacted as well.

It would be easier to name the few players who haven't missed a match yet - with somehow the perenially injured Anthony Martial being one of them - as a week doesn't go by without someone being added to the casualty list. Though Jadon Sancho's and Antony's absences weren't injury-related, United have been without up to 12 players at points this season. Their sudden decline isn't surprising when viewed through that lens.

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A report from ESPN has revealed that there have already been a staggering 196 injuries suffered by players in the Premier League in just the first 12 weeks of the campaign. We haven't even got to the busy period yet.

Who could have possibly predicted this? Well just about everyone. Including Raphael Varane before the season even began.

"We had a meeting last week with the FA. They recommended from the referees news decisions and rules," Varane said in a statement.

“From the managers and players, we have shared our concerns for many years now that there are too many games, the schedule is overcrowded, and it’s at a dangerous level for players’ physical and mental well-being.

"Despite our previous feedbacks,